The Chief Minister, however did not rule out the possibility of the UDF Government coming up with its own semi-high-speed rail project. The Government, he said, was not against a rail project which will not affect the State financially and environmentally, adding that the UDF opposed K-Rail as it was an environmental disaster and not economically viable. The LDF Government itself had given up the project and was discussing alternative projects.

The Government also decided to begin implementation of its 100-day action plan from June 1. The focus will be on issues which can be addressed immediately. The CM said directions have been given to all departments to prepare project proposals and take necessary steps for implementation of all promises in the UDF’s election manifesto by 2031.

The Cabinet also decided to extend the validity of all Public Service Commission (PSC) rank lists expiring on August 31, 2026 until November 30, 2026. The decision has been taken because job aspirants were having problems as appointments were held up due to the election process.

Other decisions are: formation of a special sub-committee to recommend the names for the Padma awards to the Union Government and payment of a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the family of Venu, who died due to alleged medical negligence.

A flaming row over the recital of Vande Mataram at the swearing-in ceremony of the UDF Government, major security lapse at the swearing-in and bitter bickering over allocation of portfolios marked the first three days of the new Government.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M) took strong exception to the singing of the full version of Vande Mataram, calling it a move that undermined secularism and pluralism while the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) welcomed it.

The CPI(M) State Secretariat pointed out that the Congress Working Committee (CWC) had taken the stand that rendering Vande Mataram in its entirely of six stanzas was unsuitable for a pluralistic society. Parts of the song were trimmed as part of an official resolution of the CWC on October 30, 1937. On January 24, 1950, the Constituent Assembly had clarified that only the first eight lines of Vande Mataram should be rendered as the national song.

Chief Minister VD Satheesan, however, said that the full version was sung at the swearing-in ceremony as per Lok Bhavan arrangements, adding that he was unaware of it until it was sung on the stage.

Experts, however, say that the arrangements for the swearing-in are made after consultations with the Public Administration Department. All details regarding the function are conveyed to the Department. This being the procedure, it is difficult to say that the CM was not aware of it. Opposition is of the view that this is in line with the Congress policy of practising the soft-Hindutva line.

Meanwhile, the allocation of portfolios was delayed because of the inter and intra-party wrangling over the issue. There is resentment in both the Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League over it.

Ramesh Chennithala himself signalled his readiness to join the Government only after he was given the Home and Vigilance portfolios. Likewise, senior leader K. Muralidharan was not happy with electricity. He insisted on being given Health and Devaswam. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph only grudgingly accepted the electricity portfolio. A. P. Anil Kumar, a KC Venugopal loyalist to whom the health portfolio had originally been given, could be mollified only by ensuring the revenue portfolio.

Another bone of contention was Education. The IUML wanted the entire portfolio. However, a few teachers’ organisations and community organisations put pressure on the Congress and insisted that the party keep the Higher Education portfolio. The League reluctantly relented only on being given the fisheries portfolio. That decision has angered the Lathin Catholic community, which was extremely keen on fisheries for an MLA belonging to the community.

The IUML was a house divided against itself over portfolio allocation. Of the 22 IUML MLAs, 12 are from Malappuram district, six are from Kozhikode, two are from Kasaragod and one each from Palakkad and Ernakulam. The party resented the Cabinet composition, especially the younger cadres. The reason: as many as three ministers have been chosen from Malappuram besides one each from Palakkad and Ernakulam.

The IUML cadres are particularly unhappy over the absence of a minister from Kozhikode which has sent six party MLAs to the State Assembly. Resentment is high in Kasaragod district, too, from where two IUML candidates won after stiff contests against BJP and CPI(M).

The appointment of V. E. Abdul Gafoor from Kalamassery in Ernakulam district has also drawn strong criticism from cadres, who have questioned the rationale behind giving representation to Ernakulam district overlooking Kozhikode and Kasaragod. The selection of Gafoor and P. K. Basheer was opposed on ground of dynastic preferences. They are sons of late V. K. Ebrahim Kunju and P. Seethi Haji, respectively.

It was a narrow escape for the invitees to the swearing-in ceremony. There was a major security lapse, which narrowly averted a stampede. The situation arose as more passes had been issued than what the Central Stadium could accommodate. UDF activists ignored the barricades set up by the police and occupied seats reserved even for the VIPs. The intense heat also made it difficult for the people who attended the ceremony. A number of people collapsed and had to be rushed to hospitals. (IPA Service)