A political storm is brewing in Kerala as CPI(M) calls for a massive candlelight protest against the UDF government's power management, while the Electricity Minister slams the move as a political stunt.

Key Takeaways

  • CPI(M) has scheduled a statewide candlelight protest for July 26 at 7 PM.
  • Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph labeled the protest as 'politically motivated'.
  • The Minister attributed the current crisis to contract cancellations during the previous LDF regime.

The ongoing electricity shortage in Kerala has escalated into a major political confrontation. The CPI(M) has announced a statewide candlelight protest scheduled for Sunday, July 26, at 7 PM. The party aims to highlight what it calls the UDF government's failure to ensure an uninterrupted power supply. CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan has urged every household to participate in this symbolic demonstration.

Political Counter-Attacks

Responding sharply to the announcement, Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph dismissed the protest as a mistimed move designed to mask the opposition's own past governance failures. He asserted that the State Government and the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) are actively working to stabilize the grid and that power curbs were temporary and communicated to the public.

Minister Joseph stated that the propaganda regarding the UDF government's responsibility for the crisis has no factual basis.

Historical Context and Root Causes

BozokMedia analysis shows that the current energy instability is deeply rooted in historical policy decisions. Minister Joseph pointed out that the cancellation of long-term power supply contracts totaling 465 MW during the previous LDF government's tenure is a significant contributor to the present deficit. Furthermore, the failure to secure the Maniyar small hydroelectric project in Pathanamthitta remains a point of contention.

Escalating Protests

The agitation is set to expand beyond electricity issues. The CPI(M) plans to protest against Plan Fund cuts affecting local bodies, with a march to the Secretariat planned for July 30 and further demonstrations at panchayat offices on August 1 and 3.

Did You Know?: Hydroelectric projects like the Barapole project are critical to Kerala's energy security but often face operational hurdles due to management transitions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is the CPI(M) protest taking place?
The candlelight protest is scheduled for July 26 at 7:00 PM across the state.

2. Why does the Minister blame the previous government?
The Minister cited the cancellation of 465 MW of power contracts under the LDF regime as a primary cause for the current crisis.