Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan launched a blistering attack on the previous LDF government in the Kerala Assembly today, systematically tearing apart its record on fiscal management and governance while replying to the general discussion on the revised Budget.
In a hard-hitting and fact-driven reply, Satheesan laid bare what he described as the “irresponsible financial decisions and hidden liabilities” left behind by the LDF regime. He did not restrict himself to defending the new Budget. Instead, he went on the offensive, presenting specific figures and decisions of the previous government to counter the Opposition’s criticism.
Factual assault on LDF’s fiscal legacy Satheesan directly confronted the LDF on the ₹20,000 crore shortfall in plan funds that emerged after the new government reviewed the accounts. He accused the previous regime of inflating plan size on paper while leaving behind massive uncovered liabilities. The Chief Minister pointed out that several big-ticket projects announced by the LDF had no proper funding backing, forcing the present government to undertake a painful course correction.
He also highlighted the heavy dependence on off-budget borrowings during the LDF period and questioned how the previous government had managed to push the state into severe fiscal stress while claiming to protect welfare. His tone was sharp and unrelenting as he listed out the flaws one after another.
PM SHRI and policy inconsistencies exposed Satheesan was particularly severe on the LDF’s stand on the PM SHRI scheme. He questioned the Opposition’s current criticism of the new government when the LDF itself had created confusion and political drama over the scheme for years without securing any tangible benefits for Kerala. He accused the previous government of playing politics with education while failing to utilise central schemes effectively.
The Chief Minister’s pointed references to the LDF’s selective opposition to central schemes appeared to hit hard. Several LDF members were seen reacting sharply, but Satheesan continued without yielding ground.
Pinarayi looks restless Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, who sat through most of the reply, appeared visibly agitated and restless. He was seen frequently intervening and consulting his colleagues as Satheesan continued to expose the previous government’s decisions. At one point, LDF members staged a walkout, but it failed to rattle the Chief Minister, who carried on with his factual assault.
The Opposition’s usual aggressive posturing was noticeably missing. Instead of mounting a strong counter, LDF members appeared defensive as Satheesan presented data on fiscal mismanagement and questioned the credibility of their criticism.
Opposition loses steam What stood out during today’s proceedings was how the Opposition struggled to respond effectively to Satheesan’s fact-based attack. The Chief Minister did not allow the debate to remain limited to the new Budget. He repeatedly dragged the discussion back to the LDF’s ten-year record, forcing the Opposition to defend its own past decisions rather than attack the present government.
Satheesan’s aggressive and well-prepared reply has sent a clear message that the new UDF government will not remain on the defensive. By choosing to tear into the LDF’s governance failures with specific facts and figures, he succeeded in shifting the narrative inside the House.
As the Budget session progresses, today’s performance has established Satheesan as a combative leader willing to take on the Opposition directly rather than playing safe. The LDF, which came prepared to corner the government, found itself pushed back by a Chief Minister who was ready with facts and unafraid to use them.
