Thiruvananthapuram: When the electricity minister learns of his own government's decision from the newspapers, it stops being a procurement question. That is the row Kerala is now in, over a decision to buy emergency power through General Network Access.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Thursday denied any difference inside the Cabinet or the Congress-led UDF. "There are no differences of opinion in the Cabinet. Sunny Joseph, the chief minister and I were together for several hours yesterday. There was no argument or disagreement. You should not entertain any misconceptions," he told reporters.
The flashpoint is GNA, a power trading platform from which the government explored an emergency purchase. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, Chennithala and Joseph met at the Cliff House late on Wednesday. Wednesday's cabinet meeting did not take up the GNA issue at all.
The numbers make the case for the decision. The file placed before Satheesan offered two options: power from Himachal Pradesh at ₹14.50 a unit and from GNA at ₹8.63 to ₹8.90. KSEB data show the state bought 800 MW from outside on Monday and around 700 MW each on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Left Democratic Front has demanded a judicial inquiry. Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan said the government was retreating. Joseph, who is also the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president, said he learnt of the move away from GNA power through the media.
Satheesan has tried to dial the controversy down, saying the current power arrangements would be reviewed and changes made where needed.
Next: the winter session will carry the question, and with it how long the government can hold off a judicial inquiry.