The Kerala Students’ Union’s (KSU) campaign against Chief Minister V D Satheesan over the appointment of certain government pleaders appears to have lost momentum, with party insiders attributing its premature end largely to political timing. According to senior Congress sources, the agitation became difficult to justify when student protests over the alleged NEET question paper leak dominated the national discourse, with thousands of students demonstrating in Delhi and other parts of the country. Against that backdrop, the Congress and the National Students’ Union (NSU) reportedly questioned whether an internal protest over appointments would appear self-centred.
Sources said this message was conveyed to KSU leaders even before their meeting with the Chief Minister on July 20. During the meeting, Satheesan is learnt to have firmly defended the appointments, citing the precedent followed by previous UDF governments and making it clear that the decisions would not be withdrawn.
Gold 101.3 FM, UAE’s No.1 Radio Station, brings you this major political development from Kerala as the controversy continues to generate discussion among Malayali audiences across the Gulf.
Following the meeting, KSU president Aloshious Xavier adopted a conciliatory tone, saying the organisation’s primary grievance was that it had not been heard. Stressing that the UDF government was built on the efforts of KSU workers, Xavier dismissed allegations that the student wing was attempting to weaken its own government, signalling a clear shift away from confrontation.
However, Satheesan defended his government’s position during his post-Cabinet briefing on July 22, saying the KSU delegation had been heard in detail and the reasons behind the appointments had been explained. He also rejected allegations that his office had denied appointments to party leaders, insisting that thousands of people meet him regularly and that a proper grievance redressal system exists in the Chief Minister’s Office.
Responding to criticism that he had ignored Aloshious Xavier during a function at S H College, Thevara, the Chief Minister said he had been rushing to attend an online meeting chaired by the Prime Minister and had no intention of slighting the KSU president. He also noted that his office had already informed Xavier that he would be available earlier that day at the Ernakulam Guest House. Referring to criticism that he had met Hindu Aikya Vedi leaders but not KSU representatives, Satheesan said he has met leaders from organisations across the political spectrum, including both Hindu Aikya Vedi and SFI, underscoring that no one is denied an opportunity to meet him.
