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LDF leader attacks own minister in Kerala

D Jose in Thiruvananthapuram

Carrying out governance and agitation side by side is not an uncommon thing in the coalition politics of Kerala. But a senior politician leading an agitation against a department headed by his own party nominee is rare even in this south Indian state.

That happened on Wednesday, when Communist Party of India-Marxist politburo member V S Achutanandan inaugurated the assembly march of Keltron employees demanding steps to save the company from collapse. The march drew much crowd due to the presence of Achutanandan, who as the convenor of the Left Democratic Front, is in a position to influence decisions, if not dictate terms to the government.

Political circles in the state attach much importance to the incident. Keltron comes under the industries department headed by party nominee Susheela Gopalan, who is said to be at the top of his hit-list. Gopalan, who is identified with the trade union lobby in the party, had invited the wrath of the senior leader by contesting for the post of chief minister after the 1996 assembly election against his wish.

Achutanandan had aspired for the post, but lost the chance due to his defeat at Mararikkulam. Achutanandan, who suspected the hands of the trade union lobby in his defeat, had expelled many of his detractors from the party and has been gunning for Gopalan since then. He had openly criticised her for her poor performance in various forums. He also flagged off a march against her misrule last week.

Interestingly, the Centre for Indian Trade Unions, to which Gopalan belongs, also took part in Wednesday's march.

Achutanandan avoided any direct criticism of the minister while inaugurating the march, in which trade unions affiliated to the opposition parties, also took part. He chose Keltron Managing Director Satish Kumar for attack. He said it was foolish for a professional to ask the government to bear the entire financial burden of the company. There is no need for an expert to suggest such solutions. He added that what is needed is scientific approach for the rehabilitation of the company.

The MD need not dream that he can get money from the government by making such foolish proposals, Achutanandan said.

Achutanandan said the present problems of Keltron were the result of the liberalisation policy followed by the central government, and added that public sector undertakings fail to compete with multinational companies. He said Keltron had accumulated a liability of Rs 2.2 billion. If the government agrees to give any money to set off the liability, it should ensure that the same is used for protecting the interest of the workers.

Earlier, discussing the problems of the company in the state assembly, the industries minister said that when she took charge the company was in a chaotic condition. It did not have a product range to compete in the market and had accumulated heavy loss. It had lost even its credit worthiness.

Gopalan claimed that the steps her department has taken have helped in arresting the downslide, and the company is slowly improving its operations. She hoped that the company could be brought back to its original health after implementing the rehabilitation package, which is now under the consideration of the government.

Keltron sources say the raging feud in the party has cast its shadow over the performance of the company. Many strategic decisions had been shot down at the political level. For example, the industries minister had recently suspended its ambitious 'one product one month' scheme.

The axe came when the company sought to set up info-kiosks throughout the state in tune with the government's policy of rapid penetration and effective use of information technology. In fact the chief minister is the chairman and the industries minister the vice-chairman of the committee set up to implement its information policy.

Keltron sources said the suspension of the programme after it was given wide publicity deprived the company of orders worth Rs 3 billion. It is doubtful whether the company will be able to bid for the Delhi metro communication system in view of the suspension of the scheme.

The source said that political intervention and lack of help from the government have deprived the company of good professionals.

The minister's position is far worse. Gopalan has had several embarrassing experiences in the last two-and-a-half years. She was forced to revoke several major decisions, which her ministry had taken, to avoid the wrath of the rival faction. In fact, the industrial policy itself was kept in cold storage for over a year.

Political circles were expecting a breather for Gopalan following the CPI-M's move to revoke the decisions of the state committee with regard to the expulsion of four leaders, including CITU national secretary V B Cherian. However, the present events show that there will not be any let down on the campaign against her.

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