NCP reconciliation: Saseendran may step down as Minister to make way for Thomas

Alappuzha: In a significant political development, A K Saseendran may be forced to resign from his ministerial position as part of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leadership reshuffle. The move is reportedly intended to accommodate Thomas K. Thomas, MLA from Kuttanad. Indications suggest that the Chief Minister has agreed to this change.

NCP State President P.C. Chacko and Thomas K. Thomas are expected to meet Sharad Pawar in the coming days. Should Pawar approve the decision, Saseendran will step down from his role.

Thomas K. Thomas had previously requested a share of the ministerial post for two and a half years after the 2021 elections, a proposal that was not accepted. Subsequently, P.C. Chacko, who joined the NCP from Congress, stated there was no agreement to share ministerial positions, leading to heightened tensions. In response, Thomas K. Thomas raised a political stir, resulting in the removal of N. Santhosh Kumar from the position of Alappuzha District President by Chacko.

Furthermore, newly joined expatriate businessman Reji Cheriyan was given support by Chacko for the Kuttanad constituency. With concerns about losing the seat in future elections, Thomas K. Thomas expressed his dissatisfaction publicly. Currently, Reji Cheriyan is leaving the NCP to join the Kerala Congress (Joseph) faction. The turn of events has helped de-escalate the tensions between Chacko and Thomas K. Thomas in the Alappuzha district.

The situation has been further complicated by the recent shift of Ajit Pawar's faction of the NCP to the BJP, creating a crisis within the Kerala NCP. Despite Thomas K. Thomas aligning with Ajit Pawar, he has shown no interest in leaving the Left Democratic Front (LDF). It is believed that P.C. Chacko’s decision to consider a ministerial change is driven by the need to avoid internal strife ahead of the upcoming local elections. Thomas K. Thomas close relationship with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the support he enjoys among CPM members may have also influenced Chacko's decision.