Kerala CM Will Have To Walk A Political And Economic Tightrope |
The speed with which Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan completed the formation of his ministry deserves recognition. Though the Congress High Command took 11 days after the May 4 counting to settle on the former Leader of the Opposition as its choice for Chief Minister, he could hardly be blamed for the delay. The party had to weigh competing claims, with more than one senior leader aspiring for the post. But once his name was announced, Satheesan moved with remarkable decisiveness. Managing the ambitions of allies in the United Democratic Front (UDF) was no easy task. Constituents bargained hard for ministerial representation and political space. Yet, he succeeded in finalising the names of all 20 ministers in consultation with the High Command and alliance........