UDF row: From ‘co-pilot stabbing’ jibe to friction denial, Kerala leaders react

Kerala’s ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) saw a series of measured responses, firm backing, and sharp political attacks on Friday following UDF convenor Adoor Prakash’s public grievance over a lack of coalition consultations.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, the Congress MP dismissed rumours of a front-level split, asserting, "There is no such conflict between UDF and Congress, there is no such conflict at all". However, he reiterated his complaint from Thursday's press conference that major government decisions were finalized without prior joint discussions. Prakash revealed that the UDF had convened only one alliance meeting since assuming power, citing Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan’s busy schedules and emergency responses to landslides. He defended his public comments as necessary, stating, "I merely reacted based on my own experience". He added that he felt a duty to report his concerns to the All India Congress Committee (AICC), which appointed him. Prakash also stressed that he was not seeking individual backing, saying, "Right now, I am alone". Regarding Cabinet-rank appointments for alliance leaders, he maintained he was not opposed to rewarding hard work but insisted such choices require joint planning. Furthermore, he rejected opposition protests against ministers, alleging that the CPI(M) was operating as the "BJP's B-team".

Senior alliance figures downplay internal rift

Several senior coalition figures reacted with measured calls for internal discipline. KPCC president and Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph noted that Prakash had raised the issue with the party high command. Rejecting claims of unilateral decision-making, Joseph stated that regular discussions take place between himself, the Chief Minister, and the convenor, though ministerial duties create scheduling constraints. He also welcomed the prospect of a full-time state Congress president, noting that the decision rests with the AICC.

Leaders of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) similarly downplayed talk of instability. State president Syyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal affirmed that all decisions follow constituent discussions, adding that any minor differences will be resolved. IUML Minister P. K. Kunhalikutty explained that recent Cabinet-rank appointments — including M. K. Muneer to the Administrative Reforms Commission and G. Devarajan as New Delhi representative — followed proper bilateral talks. Dismissing media speculation, Kunhalikutty remarked, "There is no Himalayan problem as you imagine".

Revenue Minister A. P. Anilkumar urged leaders to raise concerns within party forums rather than in public, whilst Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan advocated a dignified approach to maintaining coalition harmony.

Meanwhile, Health Minister K Muraleedharan said he had no complaints regarding consultations with the chief minister.

"I used to say earlier that I came to know about certain things only after reading newspapers. At that time, everyone criticised me and advised me to raise such issues within the party forum. Now, those who had criticised me are saying the same things," he told reporters.

Asked whether the chief minister was not holding consultations within the alliance, Muraleedharan said he was being informed of matters concerning him.

"I am a minister working under him. The chief minister informs me of matters that I need to know. Since the KPCC president is also a Cabinet member, we meet and communicate regularly. I have no complaints on this matter now," he said.

Backing from allies alongside sharp attacks

Support for Prakash came from Mahila Congress state president and Rajya Sabha MP Jebi Mather, who insisted he had "every right to express his concerns". Mather disclosed that she had personally requested a KPCC executive meeting over the past three months via letters, phone calls, and emails. Similarly, Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph of Kerala Congress (J) called for collective discussions, noting his party expects chairman P. J. Joseph to receive due recognition in upcoming government appointments.

Conversely, Kasaragod MP Rajmohan Unnithan sharply criticized Prakash, stating he did "something unbecoming of the position he holds" by airing grievances publicly instead of countering opposition attacks. Unnithan called for an immediate restructuring of the KPCC and all 14 District Congress Committees.

Meanwhile, KPCC general secretary B. R. M. Shafir launched a veiled assault on social media. Shafir compared Prakash's press conference to a co-pilot stabbing the main pilot mid-flight to crash a smoothly flying aircraft. Shafir wrote that the press conference was like "a co-pilot sitting beside the main pilot of an aircraft flying smoothly at high speed and stabbing him to try and crash the plane". The metaphor echoed Wednesday’s Flydubai Flight FZ1073 incident, where a co-pilot allegedly stabbed Indian captain Smit Machchhar mid-flight.

Capitalising on the row, CPM state secretary M. V. Govindan alleged that Chief Minister VD Satheesan was bypassing allies to consult BJP and RSS leaders, claiming the UDF faces an "unprecedented crisis".