Rookie ministers in Pinarayi Govt blamed for lacklustre show

Thiruvananthapuram: A report prepared by the CPM State Secretariat criticised the style of functioning of several ministers in the Second Pinarayi Vijayan Cabinet. No names were mentioned in particular, but according to party sources, there were enough hints for the individuals concerned about the corrective measures.

The party leadership made it clear that the final judgment of the ministers won't be done based on their one-year performance.

The ministers have been served a warning and urged to improve their functioning. There is no move for a Cabinet reshuffle at the moment, but the leaders don’t rule out such a possibility later.

Participants at the top party meet realised that the capability of the government was affected by the post-pandemic situation and the inexperience of new ministers.

Seventeen out of the 21 ministers in the Cabinet are new faces. The CPM ministers, other than the chief minister, and four from the CPI, were inducted into the Cabinet for the first time after LDF retained power in the state polls in May 2021.

Those who attended the discussions admitted the new entrants were trying hard to overcome their inexperience in discharging the ministerial responsibilities. However, there is doubt whether they succeed in providing the desired output. Often the ministers are found to confine their activities to their respective departments. Their responsibilities also include defending the party on social and political issues.

The report also mentions the chief minister’s role in coordinating the activities of the ministers under him. When the ministers tend to depend on the chief minister on all matters, it will result in delays. The discussions also had indirect reference to the relationship between the Chief Minister’s Office and that of certain ministers.

A policy guideline was earlier prepared for the state government. The ‘Nava Kerala Karma Padhathi’ —  meaning Action Plan for New Kerala — drawn up to create a new ‘Kerala and which was approved by the party state conference held in Ernakulam, too mainly includes directions to the government. It is besides this that the CPM State Committee has come up with the new mandates so as to improve the show.

Kodiyeri's predicament

Taking note of the poor health of Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the party leadership advised the State Secretariat members deputed to work there to reduce his burden.

Despite the illness, he attended the meeting and briefed all the decisions. Though the party had entrusted A K Balan to assist him in the press conference, it was Kodiyeri who answered all the questions.