Kerala today presents an unusual political paradox: a government overwhelmed by the problems of plenty and an Opposition paralysed by the problems of paucity. Barely 100 days after assuming office with a massive mandate, the UDF government finds itself mired in one controversy after another. The LDF, on the other side, remains too stunned by the crushing defeat to perform its democratic role of Opposition effectively.

Not many governments have suffered such a short honeymoon with the people as the present one. Undoubtedly, its fate is self-inflicted and fuelled by a rush of triumphalism and overconfidence stemming from the stupendous electoral win. Ironically, this is a state starkly similar to that of the second LDF government following their unprecedented successive win in the 2021 elections.

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No previous government has committed, in such a short while, so many faux pas and U-turns, or made decisions betraying the arrogance of power, or implemented measures it had fought tooth and nail while the UDF was in opposition. What can explain KPCC president Sunny Joseph appointing his brother-in-law as his private secretary on becoming a minister? Or the hasty move to nominate as the Travancore Devaswom Board’s Special Pleader, a person who was the advocate of a key accused in the sensational Sabarimala gold theft case? Remember that the Sabarimala case was UDF’s primary plank of its virulent campaign against the previous government. Didn’t UDF leaders go around during the campaign, singing that hard-hitting slogan song: "Swarnam Kattathu Aarappa?" Sakhakkal aane Ayyappa! (Who stole the gold, folks? They are the comrades, Oh, lord!)

The government's decisions to implement the PM Shri project or to introduce low-alcohol-content beverages were also issues that the UDF, while in Opposition, used to the hilt to hit the LDF government. Chief Minister VD Satheesan chose to proceed with these decisions, ignoring the widespread protests, even from within his own camp. The constant telecast by news channels of statements by Satheesan and the Muslim League’s minister, KM Shaji, against these........

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