Thiruvananthapuram, 01 July (H.S.):Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has decided to press ahead with the appointment of retired district judge N. Seshadrinathan as the State Election Commissioner, disregarding mounting opposition from within the Congress over his alleged ideological leanings.

The Chief Minister has forwarded to Raj Bhavan the Cabinet's recommendation seeking Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar's approval for Seshadrinathan's appointment. The Governor's assent is mandatory for the appointment to come into effect.

Raj Bhavan confirmed that the appointment file has been received and said a decision would be taken after the Governor returns to Kerala. Arlekar, who also holds additional charge as the Governor of Tamil Nadu, is currently in Chennai and is expected to return to Thiruvananthapuram on July 6. Sources indicated that he could approve the appointment soon after his return.

Despite growing criticism from sections of the Congress, the state government appears determined to proceed with the appointment. Congress leaders opposing the move have alleged that Seshadrinathan has ideological links with the Sangh Parivar and argued that such a person should not be entrusted with the constitutional responsibility of overseeing local body elections in the state.

Raj Bhavan is not believed to share these concerns, and sources suggested that the Governor has no objection to the recommendation. This has strengthened expectations that the appointment could receive swift approval.

The recommendation was approved by the State Cabinet at its meeting last week. Soon after news of the decision emerged, several Congress leaders publicly questioned the choice, citing Seshadrinathan's alleged political and ideological background despite his long judicial career.

KPCC General Secretary P.M. Niyas has been at the forefront of the opposition. He claimed that Seshadrinathan had previously shared social media posts supportive of the Sangh Parivar and produced screenshots to support his allegations. According to Niyas, several such posts disappeared from Seshadrinathan's social media accounts after the controversy erupted.

Niyas also wrote to the Chief Minister and the Congress leadership urging them to reconsider the appointment, arguing that a person perceived to have an anti-Congress political background should not be appointed State Election Commissioner.

Commenting on the issue, Niyas remarked that 'those who have eyes can see, but those who are expected to see are refusing to do so.'

However, political sources indicated that Satheesan is unwilling to reverse the Cabinet's decision. The Chief Minister is also believed to view the opposition from Niyas—who is considered close to Congress leader K.C. Venugopal—as part of internal factional politics rather than a genuine objection to the appointment. Despite the controversy, the government appears set to move forward once the Governor takes a final decision on the file.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman