Kerala cabinet: Shuffle or not to shuffle, that is the question

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As a rule, Indian politicians don’t much care for change, especially when it involves them. This habit extends to the governments they lead, when you consider that as chief ministers they hardly ever go in for cabinet reshuffles. The only time they do so is when they are confronted with a dissident who also happens to hold a senior ministerial post. Then, it’s the exit door for them.

Which brings us to Pinarayi Vijayan’s LDF government in Kerala, which is looking at an election sometime before May 2026. Even a neutral observer of Kerala politics will say that it’s not been a smooth ride for CPM-led government, and that some of the ministers may be under-performing in their portfolios.

Now, if this were a company, the CEO would have removed/sacked the non-performers without a second thought. Running a government is not as straight-forward as that - which is a good thing, many will say.

But if Pinarayi Vijayan were to go in for a cabinet reshuffle, it can – at a bare minimum – infuse some rare energy into the functioning of the LDF government. Even if just a couple of ministerial portfolios were switched around, it could get some activity going.

How about even bringing Shailaja teacher, the former Health Minister, back into the Cabinet? Or would that be too much of a stretch to even think? The way she fought and lost the Vadakara seat in the 2024 Parliament election was unfortunate.

If CPM goes for the reshuffle, then, anything can change when it comes to voter sentiments. Especially, when the government is seen as pulling its weight, something that LDF did show during the Covid crisis.

At the very least, it will make Kerala’s voters stop thinking that the next government will be led by VD Satheeshan, Ramesh Chennithala - or KC Venugopal.