VD Satheesan Positions UDF as Expansive Social Platform Ahead of Elections
In a comprehensive interview, Opposition Leader V D Satheesan articulated a significant evolution in the United Democratic Front's identity within Kerala's political landscape. He emphasized that the UDF has transcended its traditional role as a mere confederation of political parties to become a much broader platform encompassing diverse social groups, influential opinion makers, and even former Left sympathizers.
Rebuilding After Electoral Setbacks
Satheesan reflected on the challenging period following the UDF's second consecutive defeat in the 2021 assembly elections, which left party leaders and members demoralized. His primary objective upon assuming the opposition leadership was to revitalize the coalition and steer it back to power. "All leaders cooperated with me, and we formed a cohesive team," he stated, noting that factional dominance within the Congress has diminished, with candidate selection now prioritizing winnability above all else.
He contrasted this with the current state of the ruling CPM, describing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as a solitary leader who dictates all party affairs. "I have not witnessed so many rebels in the history of CPM in Kerala," Satheesan remarked, pointing to dissent in districts including Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Palakkad, and Kannur, alongside a noticeable erosion in the CPM's voter base.
Confident Electoral Predictions and Strategic Analysis
The opposition leader projected a robust performance for the UDF in the upcoming assembly elections, forecasting over 100 seats. He provided a regional breakdown, anticipating 45 to 50 seats from the six Malabar districts and a sweep in Idukki and Pathanamthitta. Satheesan attributed this optimism to heightened anti-incumbency against the LDF government, a factor he believes will be more decisive than in local body elections, which are often influenced by personal connections.
Satheesan elaborated on the UDF's expanded coalition, asserting that approximately 90% of former Left fellow travelers now align with the UDF. He provocatively labeled the ruling party as "extreme right" rather than Left, positioning the UDF as the true inheritor of Nehruvian Left ideals.
Addressing Coalition Dynamics and Development Vision
When questioned about concerns within the Christian community regarding the Indian Union Muslim League's potential influence for more cabinet positions, Satheesan dismissed this as a CPM narrative. He highlighted IUML leader Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal's reaffirmation of the party's commitment to the UDF, arguing that a strong Muslim League is crucial to countering minority extremist factions.
On development, Satheesan criticized the LDF's SilverLine project as an environmental disaster, pledging that a UDF government would only approve eco-friendly initiatives with climate change considerations at the forefront. "UDF is very clear. We need development projects," he affirmed, referencing his long-standing advocacy as a green MLA.
Economic Strategy and Personal Insights
As a finance expert, Satheesan identified restructuring Kerala's tax administration as a critical priority, blaming the current government for failing to capitalize on GST benefits. He projected that reforms could boost tax growth from below 10% to over 30% within a year. His economic blueprint includes:
- Implementing stringent measures to prevent treasury leakage.
- Stimulating the economy through investments and various programs.
- Establishing a global job watchtower with experts to align educational curricula with emerging job markets in fields like artificial intelligence, biogenetics, and machine learning.
- Launching over 10,000 startups, ventures, and MSMEs within one to two years, supported by techno-mentors for aspiring entrepreneurs.
- Addressing reverse remittance by creating local opportunities for the over five million migrants from other states.
On a personal note, Satheesan, who represents North Paravur constituency, credited former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy as his political model for maintaining decorum in discourse. He revealed enduring persistent personal attacks from the CPM's cybercell but emphasized his commitment to evidence-based criticism, citing instances involving Jamaat-e-Islami and RSS connections.
An avid reader, Satheesan dedicates at least an hour daily to books, with Turkish author Orhan Pamuk as his favorite, particularly praising novels like My Name Is Red, Snow, Istanbul, and Night of The Plague.
