‘Ara-Pinarayi’ or CEO? Satheesan opens up on power, factional politics and reforms he wants for Kerala

Is VD Satheesan becoming an “Ara-Pinarayi” (half-Pinarayi Vijayan) or is Kerala getting a Chief Minister who operates more like a corporate CEO? At the Manorama News Conclave in Kochi, when Satheesan was asked about his critics’ comparisons between his firm, combative style and that of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, he embraced both labels in his own way, offering a candid account of his leadership style, his approach to coalition politics and the administrative changes he believes Kerala can no longer postpone.

Responding to observations that his administrative firmness and combative posture mirror former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Satheesan responded with a mix of humour and candour.

“I closely observe and take good qualities from all CMs before me. If I adopt Pinarayi’s good qualities, why is ‘Ara-Pinarayi’ a problem?” he countered with his signature ‘pookie CM’ smile.

“Pinarayi Vijayan has his own positive and negative traits; V D Satheesan has his own positive and negative traits. I retain my strengths while continuously discarding my flaws. If I adopt the good qualities of Pinarayi Vijayan as well, then being called ‘Ara-Pinarayi’ isn't a mistake after all,” he said.

But Satheesan said there was one major difference he would not compromise on — his accessibility to the media.

He pointed out that Pinarayi Vijayan’s press conferences often involved long prepared statements followed by a limited number of questions.

“In press conferences, Pinarayi Vijayan used to read out prepared text for 50 minutes and take barely five questions. If I conduct a press meet like that, you will call me ‘Muzhu-Pinarayi’ (full Pinarayi). Instead, I speak for 10 minutes and open the floor to all journalists until every single question is answered” said Satheesan.

’Zero factionalism’
Addressing the perception of operating as a “lone wolf” after becoming the CM without a dedicated faction within the Congress party or the UDF, Satheesan described the absence of group backing as a strategic strength that enabled the UDF’s revival.

”In 2021, when the leadership entrusted me with the responsibility of Opposition Leader, the political atmosphere was pathetic. Congress had only 21 members in the Legislative Assembly. Had I pursued factionalism like others, 75% to 80% of my time would have been wasted on ‘group management’. By not doing that, I was able to dedicate 100% of my time to reviving the UDF,” he said.

He also dismissed the suggestion that legislators in the ruling coalition would need to be separately appeased to keep the government together.

“All our MLAs stand firmly with our collective team. Why should there be any separate appeasement? There is no need for that,” he said.

He argued that the numbers speak for themselves. Congress’s strength rose from 21 MLAs, while the UDF’s tally increased from around 40 to 102.

“They know very well how our tally rose from 21 to 63 Congress MLAs, and from 40-odd to 102 UDF MLAs. When results are delivered, everyone shares the credit,” said Satheesan.

When CM thinks like a CEO
When asked whether his centralized monitoring of departments resembled a corporate executive rather than a conventional politician, Satheesan did not shy away from the comparison and said there are situations in which a CM has to think like a CEO.

“You asked if I am a CM or a CEO. Sometimes, one may have to function like a CEO in a private enterprise to ensure results. I am ready to act decisively like a CEO when required,” he said.

For Satheesan, the larger problem is not executive intervention but the absence of accountability when government projects spiral out of control.

“Nobody is accountable in government when a ₹100-cr project stretches to ₹1,000 cr over 10 years,” he said, adding that his government would formulate strict project protocols and fix liability.

He cited several instances to illustrate the kind of fast decision-making he wants from the administration. He said that the government sanctioned 18 acres at Ramanthuruth for Cochin Shipyard’s proposed ₹5,000-crore ship-block manufacturing unit within a week of the cabinet review.

At Vizhinjam, an inter-agency jurisdictional dispute that had stalled a container freight station was resolved during a single 24-hour joint session.

And ahead of Onam, the government moved to tackle recurring shortages in essential commodities by directing the pre-stocking of 13 key items at Maveli stores well in advance of the festival.

For Satheesan, these are not isolated administrative interventions but examples of a government that should be willing to take responsibility for getting things done.

‘Rhetoric is not ideological fight’
Satheesan was also challenged over his approach to the Union government and the criticism from the LDF, including CPM leader M A Baby criticising the description of him as the ‘Nilapadukalude Rajakumaran’ (Prince of political stands) for ‘shifting away’ from earlier positions after becoming CM – such as relations with the Centre and implementing the PM SHRI scheme, and not criticising the Centre in the state budget.

Satheesan drew a distinction between political ideology and the constitutional responsibilities of a state government.

“Budget presentations are not the forum to declare political war against the Union Government. The state would continue to oppose the Sangh Parivar ideologically, but that should not prevent Kerala from maintaining statutory and constitutional relations with the Centre,” he said.

Addressing the Left’s rhetoric surrounding anti-BJP politics and federal fights, Satheesan dismissed their grandstanding as superficial theatrics rather than constructive statecraft.

Responding directly to critics who accused his administration of diluting political battles by accepting central project funds in PM Awas Yojana, PM SHRI etc, he said. “Kerala contributes 50% of our GST and substantial income tax revenues to the national exchequer. The funds we receive under Central schemes are Kerala's constitutional entitlement, not central charity. Merely indulging in fiery rhetoric and empty sloganeering is not ideological combat. What the Left engages in is pure rhetoric—mere posturing. You cannot fight an ideological battle by shouting slogans while simultaneously forfeiting hundreds of crores meant for the development of our people and the welfare of our state,” he said

Retirement age may also have to change
Satheesan also touched on the retirement age, which is a politically sensitive issue that could generate debate in the years ahead.

With life expectancy increasing and more people living well into their 80s and 90s, he argued that Kerala cannot indefinitely remain tied to conventions created for a different demographic reality.

“In the future, retirement age will have to be increased; people cannot retire early while lifespans cross 85 and 90,” he said.

He added that Kerala should be prepared to make difficult structural changes before demographic and economic pressures force them upon the state.

“Change is imperative because we have no other option. This state belongs to our children and future generations. We will not allow Kerala to falter,” he said.