Latest news with #V.D.Satheesan
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
CMP 40th founding day anniversary convention on Saturday
The Communist Marxist Party (CMP) will observe its 40th founding day convention at the Tagore Theatre on Saturday. Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan will inaugurate the convention. Chairman of the party's control commission, V.K. Raveendran, will hoist the flag. M. P. Saju, chairperson of the welcoming committee, will welcome the delegates. The CMP general secretary C.P. John will preside over the function. Kerala Congress (Joseph) leader Mons Joseph, MLA, and District Congress Committee president Palode Ravi are among the speakers. CMP secretary Suresh Babu will propose the vote of thanks. Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) leader Shibu Baby John, Forward Bloc general secretary G. Devarajan and Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) leader M. Shajahan will lead the discussions at the seminar on the 'Relevance of the Communist Movement in the contemporary world'.
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Satheesan accuses Election Commission of ‘leaking' Kerala voters' list to CPI(M), warns of legal action over poll bias
Kerala's Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan has accused the State Election Commission of acting as 'a tool' of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] in connection with the upcoming local body elections. He has warned that if the commission fails to ensure a free and fair election, the United Democratic Front will resort to legal action. Addressing the media in Kannur after inaugurating the handing-over ceremony of documents to 83 landless people in the Kannur Corporation limits on Monday (July 21, 2025), Mr. Satheesan alleged that the draft voters' list was 'leaked' to the CPI(M) ahead of its official publication on July 23 and claimed that the list was tampered with to remove numerous names. 'The time provided, just five days from July 23 to August 7, for the voters to verify and add their names is grossly inadequate,' he said, demanding an extension of at least 30 days. He also criticised the commission for failing to implement a cap of 1,100 voters per booth as was enforced during the General Elections. 'In rural areas, the number has gone up to 1,300, making it impossible to complete voting even by 10 p.m.,' he said, alleging that the move was intended to 'aid the CPI(M) in disrupting the polls.' Mr. Satheesan further claimed that the Election Commission's actions indicated 'clear support for attempts to sabotage the election process.' 'The commission must act independently, without bowing to government pressure,' he said. Mr. Satheesan also questioned the CPI(M)'s 'ambiguous response' to recent remarks by SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan. 'Their vague statement confirms our allegations that the Chief Minister is using Vellappally to spread communal narratives. A leader associated with the teachings of Sree Narayana Guru should not utter words that go against his philosophy,' he said. 'Govt-Governor tussle a staged drama' He also criticised the recent stand-off between the State government and the Governor, terming it 'a staged drama' to divert attention from mounting public discontent. 'Both the Governor and the government escalated a trivial issue for days, only to settle it after tarnishing students and universities. These theatrics emerge every time the government face a crisis,' he said. Mr. Satheesan raised questions about the earlier appointment of Mohanan Kunnummal as the Vice Chancellor of the Kerala University of Health University (KUHS) by the same LDF government. 'If he is RSS, why did the government appoint him? Was there a prior understanding with the Sangh Parivar?' he asked. On the controversy surrounding the death of former Kannur ADM Naveen Babu, Mr. Satheesan demanded that the Revenue Minister respond to the latest revelations. Mr. Satheesan dismissed that claims that Youth Congress workers blocked an ambulance at Vithura in Thiruvananthapuram as a 'manufactured lie', citing statements by the deceased's family reportedly asserting that protesters 'had in fact helped the patient into the ambulance.'
The Hindu
17-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
UDF Health Commission website launched
The website of the Health Commission appointed by the United Democratic Front was formally opened by Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan recently. The website address is This website is envisioned as a platform for comprehensive study and analysis of the healthcare sector in Kerala. Visitors to the website will have the option of reporting any issues they have noticed in the health sector and of suggesting possible solutions. The email address to contact the commission is contact@ and the phone/WhatsApp number is +91 7306635291. The aim of the commission will be to conduct an in-depth study of the general issues in Kerala's health-care sector, especially the government health system, and the difficulties faced by the public as a result. The commission will hold detailed discussions with people from all walks of life including the general public, healthcare workers and professionals from related fields. The Commission will also hold sittings in different districts. The commission will prepare the report, 'Health Mission 2050', with the firm conviction that the people of Kerala have the right to access the highest quality healthcare services. The report will include recommendations to preserve Kerala's existing healthcare achievements and to prepare the State to effectively face emerging challenges, an official release said here.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
General strike disrupts normal life in Ernakulam
Normal life was hit in Ernakulam of Kerala on Wednesday (July 9, 2025) following the nationwide general strike by the combine of trade unions. Shops and commercial establishments remained closed in the district. Public transport was also affected as private buses stayed off the road. The supporters of the strike blocked a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus at Velloorkunnam, Muvattupuzha. The windshield of the bus was damaged in alleged stone-throwing by them. Two persons were arrested by the Muvattupuzha police in connection with the incident. Efforts by KSRTC employees affiliated to the Bharat Mazdoor Sangh, who stayed away from the strike, to operate a low-floor bus service from the Ernakulam depot to Kozhikode failed following opposition from employees affiliated to the Left-trade unions. The driver and conductor of the bus said that they were ready to operate the service, if the authorities ensured adequate police protection. There were six reservations from Nedumbassery, and the passengers were informed about the protest, they said. Police personnel, who were posted at the site, said they had not received instructions from the authorities of the bus depot to provide protection. A few autorickshaws were seen plying within the Kochi city limits. However, drivers pointed out that there were only a few commuters. People were seen mostly moving in two-wheelers in the morning as public transport was hit as private buses stayed off the road. The Kochi metro operated services as usual, though the number of passengers was low compared to normal days, according to Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL). Attendance was very poor at the civil station at Kakkanad as a majority of employees stayed away from work. The functioning of the Cochin Special Economic Zone at Kakkanad was also hit following the strike. The combine of trade unions staged a rally as part of the protest. Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, who inaugurated a rally and protest by trade unions affiliated to the United Democratic Front here, blamed the Central and State governments for ignoring the rights and interests of workers. There is no labour protection in the country. The Left Front government, which came to power in the name of a party of workers, has now turned into a govenment of capitalists, he alleged.
New Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Tharoor tops UDF CM preference as survey reveals strong anti-incumbency against Pinarayi Vijayan
In terms of political trust, the United Democratic Front (UDF) led the field, with 38.9 per cent of respondents backing its development agenda. The LDF followed with 27.8 per cent, while the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) registered 23.1 per cent. Leadership preferences revealed notable shifts within both major alliances. Within the UDF, Shashi Tharoor emerged as the leading Chief Ministerial candidate with 28.3 per cent support, followed by Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan at 15.4 per cent. On the LDF side, former Health Minister K.K. Shailaja topped the list with 24.2 per cent support, while incumbent CM Pinarayi Vijayan trailed with 17.5 per cent. The survey did not suggest any major leadership vacuum within the NDA. Kerala-based political analyst J. Prabhash urged caution in interpreting the results. 'Without understanding the methodology of the survey, one cannot assess its veracity. In my opinion, anyone can say there is anti-incumbency even without conducting a survey,' he said.
