Kerala Congress Leaders Divided Over Appointment of State Election Commissioner

A political dispute has emerged within the Congress party in Kerala over the appointment of N. Seshadrinathan, a retired district judge, as the State Election Commissioner (SEC). The United Democratic Front (UDF) government, led by the Congress, is facing criticism from within its own ranks.

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) general secretary P.M. Niyas has called for a review of the appointment, alleging that Seshadrinathan has longstanding links with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliates, collectively known as the Sangh Parivar. Niyas has requested the Home department to examine intelligence reports on Seshadrinathan and has spoken to Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on the matter.

In a letter to KPCC president Sunny Joseph, Niyas claimed that he personally knew Seshadrinathan from their student days in Kozhikode, when Niyas was with the Kerala Students' Union (KSU) and Seshadrinathan was an activist of the Students Federation of India (SFI). Niyas alleged that Seshadrinathan later developed Sangh Parivar connections over the past 15 years.

However, Local Self-Governments Minister K.M. Shaji defended the appointment on Monday, describing it as a collective decision by the state cabinet. Shaji stated that appointments should be evaluated based on professional qualifications and dismissed the allegations of bias. He noted that all religious believers should not be assumed to be followers of the Sangh Parivar.

Shaji also pointed out that Seshadrinathan's record as a lawyer and judge showed no bias. The minister expressed frustration over being labelled based on his appearance or religious identity, noting that he had been called an RSS sympathizer and also a Muslim extremist in the past.

Niyas stood by his allegations, asserting that he could distinguish between a devout person and a Sangh supporter. He argued that the SEC post carries judicial powers and oversees local body elections, making impartiality crucial.

Seshadrinathan, a retired district judge, has served as a judge of the CBI court in Ernakulam and as Principal District and Sessions Judge in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep. This controversy follows recent resignations of other appointees amid political rows, including Benny Thomas, brother-in-law of Minister Sunny Joseph, and government pleader K.B. Pradeep.

The dispute highlights internal tensions within the Congress party in Kerala over appointments and ideological leanings, even as the government defends its decision on the grounds of merit and collective responsibility.