V D Satheesan possesses the political acumen of K Karunakaran, the erudition of Panampilly Govinda Menon, and the people-connect of Oommen Chandy. Comparisons with CPM leader V S Achuthanandan may not be entirely accurate, as Satheesan appears more pragmatic and capable of embracing Kerala's multicultural diversity.
Calculated Risks and Strategic Predictions
Before the election campaign, the 61-year-old took a calculated risk by declaring that if the UDF did not assume office, he would go into political exile. He also made an improbable prediction that the UDF would win over 100 seats and claimed a dozen LDF ministers would lose from their constituencies. In this digital age, incorrect predictions risk trolling, but all his predictions came true, highlighting his microplanning and strategic poll management, including supporting rebel CPM candidates in Kannur.
Masterstroke: Social Engineering
Although Satheesan benefited from the anti-Pinarayi wave, his masterstroke was the quiet social engineering he undertook after becoming opposition leader in 2021. Minority community votes—Muslims and Christians, constituting around 44%—had shifted to the LDF during the first Pinarayi government. Satheesan worked hard to regain their trust, connecting with their cultural moorings through a yearlong talk series based on the Quran and the Bible. Meanwhile, the LDF made the strategic mistake of appeasing majority Hindu votes after losing heavily in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls due to their stand on the Sabarimala women's entry issue.
Principled Stand on Women's Safety
Satheesan gained credibility, especially among women, for his principled stand against crimes against women. When Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil was accused of rape and sexual assault, he acted immediately, suspending and later expelling him—a move unpopular with the younger party brigade but enhancing his image as a leader who takes strict action against party members, an unprecedented policy.
Background and Rise
A graduate in sociology and a master's in law, Satheesan was known for his oratory since college and began practice in the Kerala High Court. Though he aspired to practice constitutional law in the Supreme Court, Kerala politics drew him back. In 1996, he contested from North Paravur, a CPM stronghold, losing by a slim margin. He worked doggedly to connect with people—a hallmark of his character—and won in 2001, never looking back, winning six times from the same constituency.
Notable Achievements
His famous public debate on the lottery scam against Finance Minister Thomas Isaac in 2010 earned him respect. He later presented 33 adjournment motions on various issues, earning praise even from Pinarayi Vijayan. Satheesan's intervention in green issues, including supporting the Madhav Gadgil report against the official party line, earned him the 'Green MLA' tag. His claim to represent the real Nehruvian Left resonated with Left fellow-travelers who felt a void after the V S Achuthanandan activist era.
Campaign and Governance Vision
In his poll campaign, called the Puthu Yuga Yatra from north to south Kerala, he focused on developmental politics and alternative paths to revive the bankrupt treasury, refraining from mudslinging and personal attacks. The diminutive politician, who retorts in a charming Kochi-Malayalam accent when media asks uncomfortable questions, is a voracious reader, even while traveling. An ardent admirer of Orhan Pamuk, he also delves into nonfiction, immersing himself in macroeconomics and political history.
Litmus Test Ahead
His victory echoes a line from Pamuk's Snow: 'I don't want to be a tree, but its meaning.' Even the coveted post of chief minister is worthless without good governance—that will be Satheesan's litmus test in the coming months.
