‘No governance, empty treasury’: Kerala Opposition Leader launches sharp attack on LDF govt

Kerala’s Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan on Monday (February 9, 2026) launched a blistering attack on the ruling LDF government, alleging that Kerala was facing a “complete collapse in governance and finances”. He said “even Left sympathisers do not want the LDF to return to power.”

Addressing a press conference at the PWD resthouse at Thalassery in Kannur after leading the UDF’s Puthuyuga Yatra, Mr. Satheesan said Kerala was grappling with multiple crises, including an agrarian downturn, unchecked wildlife menace, and an overall stagnation in development.

“There is no governance here and no money in the treasury,” he said, adding that continuous Left rule had pushed the State into decline.

Mr. Satheesan alleged that the agriculture sector was in “total collapse”, with farmers facing severe distress due to wildlife attacks and policy failures. Development had stalled across Kerala, he said, pointing out that the textile mill at Pinarayi, the Chief Minister’s hometown, had remained closed for months.

“Even good communists have begun to hate this government,” he remarked, accusing the Left of “transforming into an extreme right-wing force.”

Referring to internal party issues, Mr. Satheesan said the CPI(M) was following a practice of expelling those who point out mistakes, citing the situation in Payyannur as an example. He said that V. Kunhikrishnan was removed from the party for “speaking the truth and exposing the irregularities” that had occured in the collection and utilisation of the CPI(M) martyr’s fund.

On Sabarimala gold case

On the Sabarimala gold theft case, he alleged that several people involved were “standing in a queue to go to jail“ and claimed that more CPI(M) leaders were yet to be booked in the case.

Responding to criticism over photographs with controversial individuals, Mr. Satheesan said it was “common” for people to take photographs together on different occasions. “Even the Chief Minister has taken photographs with such individuals. We are not demanding his arrest,” he said.

He also cited an instance where Minister M.B. Rajesh had taken a photograph with a vlogger as part of tourism promotion, against whom later allegations of espionage were raised. “Did we ask for the Minister’s arrest?” he asked, adding that he was the only Opposition Leader who spoke in support of the Minister when the issue was raised in the Assembly.

Mr. Satheesan reiterated that the UDF would continue to expose what he termed as the failures and contradictions of the LDF government across the State.

Shafi Parambil, MP, and P.K. Kunhalikutty, MLA, were among the other leaders present at the press conference.