Kerala Assembly Erupts Over Power Crisis; Opposition Walks Out
Opposition walks out of Kerala Assembly after adjournment motion is rejected during a heated debate over electricity shortages and rising costs.
The Kerala Assembly turned into a battlefield on Wednesday as the ruling and Opposition fronts engaged in a fierce confrontation over the state's worsening electricity situation. The chaos culminated in a mass walkout by the Opposition after the Speaker rejected an adjournment motion aimed at addressing the mounting power crisis.
Allegations of Artificial Shortages and Unannounced Cuts
The tension began when CPI MLA G R Anil moved an adjournment motion, accusing the current administration of failing to manage the electricity shortage and unfairly burdening citizens with increased charges for new connections. Anil leveled serious allegations, suggesting that the government was allowing an artificial shortage to persist.
“Only five months into its tenure, the government has pushed people back towards power cuts,” Anil stated during the session. He highlighted the severe impact on daily life, noting that unannounced interruptions have reached a point where even critical medical surgeries have had to be postponed. He further criticized the government for failing to negotiate with neighboring Tamil Nadu to secure additional power supplies.
Government Blames Low Rainfall and Rising Demand
Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph hit back at the Opposition, dismissing the claim that the state had enjoyed a period of uninterrupted power under the previous administration. Joseph argued that the current crisis is a result of environmental and structural factors rather than mismanagement alone.
- Reduced Rainfall: Lower precipitation has hampered generation capacity.
- Surging Demand: Electricity consumption has surged by approximately 2,000 MW over the last decade.
- Stagnant Generation: While demand skyrocketed, generation capacity increased by only about 150 MW.
The Minister emphasized that Kerala relies heavily on purchasing power from outside the state because of insufficient progress on local generation projects.
The Battle Over the Cancelled Power Agreement
A major point of contention in the House was the cancellation of a 465 MW power purchase agreement that was intended to provide electricity for 25 years. Chief Minister V D Satheesan described electricity management as a monumental challenge, warning that the cancellation of the previous long-term agreement—which offered power at Rs 4.29 per unit—would ultimately force consumers to pay much higher rates.
Satheesan pledged that the government would work toward a clear electricity policy, focus on long-term projects, and ensure the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) remains firmly in the public sector. He also called for intense scrutiny of power deals involving large private entities, specifically mentioning companies associated with Adani and Ambani.
Opposition Rejects Blame-Shifting Tactics
Leader of the Opposition, Pinarayi Vijayan, vehemently challenged the government's narrative. He accused the ruling party of attempting to deflect responsibility for the current crisis onto the previous LDF government regarding the failed power agreement.
Vijayan clarified that the agreement was not simply "cancelled" by a single decision, but rather that the State Electricity Regulatory Commission had withheld approval due to incomplete procedures and clearances. He noted that while the regulatory process began in 2015, the legal battles culminated in the cancellation in 2023, leading the state to eventually approach the Supreme Court.
The session reached a breaking point when Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan rejected the adjournment motion. Following the decision, the Opposition members staged a walkout, leaving the House in a state of unresolved political deadlock.