Poor interaction hits LDF ministry image

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: More than eight months have passed since the Pinarayi Vijayan government took charge in the state, but the LDF seems to have not yet got over its starting troubles. The differences between the two major parties in LDF — the CPM and CPI have come to the fore on many issues and on various occasions during this period. Even the LDF state leadership has not been able intervene effectively to bring about a consensus among front partners on contentious issues. The latest in the series was the Law Academy agitation.

The contradictory statements made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and revenue minister E. Chandrashekharan on the Law Academy Law College land issue, had triggered a major controversy. Serious differences still persist on issues like Right to Information Act being made applicable to all Cabinet decisions, setting up of Kerala Administrative Service, slapping of UAPA against human rights activists and artists,  encounter killings of Maoist leaders in Nilambur forests and government’s police policy. Many opine that the LDF leadership has failed to take all parties on board.

The utter confusion in the Left camp during Law Academy Law College agitation also pointed to the lack of discussion and interaction among the leaders of the ruling front. Left watchers say the LDF needs to work as a cohesive entity to deliver goods without courting controversies. They say the differences that surfaced during the past eight months could have been sorted out effectively had the leaders interacted at regular intervals. With LDF state committee not meeting that frequently, occasions for detailed discussions are few and far between.