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Thiruvananthapuram: After holding office for a year, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen
Chandy is patting himself on the back. But critics are not
impressed.
With the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government set
to mark its first anniversary Friday, Chandy seems to be riding an
uncertain horse -- because of the nature of his coalition.
Chandy led the UDF to a narrow victory last year, getting 72
seats, just edging past the Marxist-led Left Democratic Front (LDF)
that bagged 68 seats in the 140-member assembly. Although he
formed a government, the Congress managed just 38 seats, behind
the 45 of its arch foe, the Communist Party of India-Marxist
(CPI-M).
Known for his down-to-earth style, Chandy started with a bang when
he opened his office to the world through a round-the-clock web
cast.
His "mass contact programme" in all 14 districts has been
applauded.
One day, he went without food for more than 18 hours at a stretch
as he immersed himself in sorting out the problems of the man on
the street.
So what does he feel about the first anniversary?
"I am fully satisfied with the performance," Chandy told IANS.
"I am delighted I got the wholehearted support of my party, my
coalition and even the opposition, who despite their political
differences, extended their support," he added.
Chandy said he would now devote himself to infrastructure
development.
"Infrastructure is the backbone for development. My government
will now set high standards for achievements in this area.
"We are confident that the 'Emerging Kerala' campaign will provide
the much-needed boost to this sector," said Chandy.
Chandy, however, faced a torrent of criticism when he decided to
give another ministerial berth to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML),
the second largest member in the UDF.
The chief minister played down the episode. "In a democratic
set-up, differences of opinion are bound to happen.
"But please tell me, can anyone point fingers at us?"
The CPI-M of course has a different point of view and is going
hammer and tongs at the government ahead of an assembly
by-election at Neyattinkara June 2.
"The government's days are numbered because of its anti-people
policies," thundered Pinarayi Vijayan, the powerful CPI-M leader
in the state.
Another CPI-M leader, A. Anandan, added that "all the good work
done by our government (2006-11) has been undone by this
government".
"The electricity charges are going to go up. Power cuts have
already started. Kerosene, freely available in our time, has
become out of reach for the common man because of a cut in supply
by the central government.
"Prices of essential items are rising. I do not know what this
government is doing."
However, the murder of a former Marxist firebrand in Kozhikode,
blamed on CPI-M workers, has led to another showdown between the
CPI-M's Vijayan and former chief minister V.S. Achuthanandan.
The murder has become Kerala's talking point, the CPI-M's
discomfiture providing some relief to Chandy.
Gala first anniversary celebrations will take place only after the
by-election. In the meantime, Chandy's ministers are busy
preparing their own score cards -- of what they achieved in one
year.
(Sanu George
can be contacted at sanu.g@ians.in)
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