Political debate over Satchidanandan’s remarks on continuity of power

Poet and Kerala Sahitya Akademi president K. Satchidanandan has stirred a political debate with his remarks cautioning against the dangers of continuous rule, citing West Bengal as a warning example.

In an interview to a media outlet recently, Mr. Satchidanandan said that when power was monopolised, it often degenerated into misrule. What democracy needed was not continuous governance by the same dispensation, but alternating governments, he said, underlining the importance of political change as a safeguard against abuse of power.

The comments have drawn attention as they come at a time when the Left Democratic Front is preparing for a possible third consecutive term in power in Kerala. Mr. Satchidanandan is regarded as a communist fellow traveller, making his observations particularly significant in the current political context.

Referring to West Bengal, he said the experience there should serve as a lesson. He said he had spoken to some of the poorest people in Bengal, who told him that prolonged rule by the same government had led to the suppression of large sections of society, effective denial of voting rights, and the imposition of various forms of deprivation. Mr. Satchidanandan argued that continuous rule allowed power to slip into the hands of a small, self-interested group, gradually eroding democratic values. He said Bengal showed how prolonged power could ultimately destroy a party, as rampant corruption and repeated denial of rights reached unbearable levels, resulting in the communist party being removed from power.

Stressing the importance of democratic vigilance, he said alternating governments played a crucial role in keeping those in power accountable.

The remarks have triggered political reactions, with differing interpretations emerging across the ideological spectrum.