Hundred days of VD Satheesan government

The first hundred days in office of the United Democratic Front government, led by V. D. Satheesan, has been marked by generous allocation of funds from the public exchequer to ensure transparent distribution of supplies through Supplyco for the millions of Keralites scrambling for resources on Uthradam day to make Onam celebrations bountiful and prosperous, alongside welfare schemes, bonuses for workers, and festival allowances for government employees. An unbiased observer would concede that it is a no small feat. This is especially notable at a time when price rises and inflation have reached their peak nationally due to turbulent global conditions and the flawed economic policies of the Narendra Modi government. The public feels that the Satheesan team is well aware that they came to power with unprecedented popular backing, promising corrections and transformations to the decade-long Left Democratic Front governance. Shortly after being sworn into office, implementing the promise announced through Rahul Gandhi — providing free travel for women on KSRTC buses — is what delighted women overall. Private bus operators, whose revenues have diminished significantly, remain hopeful that the government will not delay in finding remedies for the negative impacts this policy has created.

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Another laudable step worth highlighting is the creation of a dedicated department to ensure the welfare and solve the problems of elderly citizens whose lives come a dead end after their own children and families failed to provide them with necessary consideration and care. However, to make it operational and effective, practical steps and widespread awareness efforts through adequate deliberations are absolutely essential. Above all, 'Toofan', the narco-hunt operation, announced by Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, has already won praise from people across all age groups. The actions taken so far convey a determination to go to any extent to achieve the mission — launched with the firm resolve that the hazards of drug abuse, which have spread wide enough to distress and alarm society regardless of religion, caste, politics, or financial status, must be curbed at all costs. By registering over ten thousand drug-related cases within three months, 'Toofan' has earned the applause of millions, including women and families. One must not forget the truth that Ramesh accomplished this by inheriting the very same police force led and governed by Pinarayi Vijayan over the past 10 years. The core of the issue lies in where and how the law enforcers are led. Chennithala himself must be well aware that there are many obstacles to taking his mission to its completion. Even though arrests have now crossed ten thousand, the special courts under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for conducting trials have not been established. On September 25, 2025, the Kerala High Court had directed the setting up of special courts to handle the drug cases surging everyday. Although the then Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Biswanath Sinha issued an order to this effect on February 13, nothing has happened to date. Unless Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan and the Home Minister hold consultations to take prompt measures, there is no doubt that thousands of drug producers and distributors arrested so far will walk out on bail and freely resume their usual trade.

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All this however does not mean everything is fine within the United Democratic Front government or that the path forward is entirely promising. A matter of grave concern is the outright fascist-style interventions and approaches of the saffron brigade ruling the Centre that cut at the very soul of federalism. It is being proven time and again that directives and orders from the Union Government arrive directly to the RSS leader installed at Lok Bhavan, who, in turn, makes crucial decisions bypassing the democratically elected government. Moves are underway to present even funds constitutionally owed to the state as the Prime Minister's bounty and wrap them in saffron color. Orders continue to be issued to recite Vande Mataram by adding verses that lack constitutional validity. Kerala sees the UDF government standing perplexed before the insistence that PM SHRI funds, meant for developing school infrastructure, be used in a manner that makes them appear as the BJP's generosity. Although the Left opposition tries to hold its ground by pointing to these and similar examples, they are incapable of building a strong anti-establishment agitation with disunity within their own ranks deepening day by day. That said, if the UDF fails to arrive at a well-considered decision not to yield to RSS dictates, it cannot expect enlightened, secular Kerala to forgive them.

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