Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran is set to step down from the Pinarayi Vijayan government, paving the way for Kuttanad MLA Thomas K. Thomas to take his place as the NCP's representative in the state cabinet. The decision was made during a meeting chaired by NCP president Sharad Pawar in Mumbai. In exchange, Saseendran is expected to become the state president of the NCP, replacing the current chief, P.C. Chacko, who was recently promoted to the party’s national working president.
The official announcement will be made after state NCP leaders meet with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to discuss the decision, which also requires approval from the LDF. Earlier, Saseendran had threatened to resign as MLA if forced out of his ministerial role, but after Pawar's intervention, he has reportedly softened his stance.
While Thomas has long sought the ministerial post, his appointment faced resistance from Pinarayi Vijayan and CPM leaders. Pinarayi had suggested that the cabinet position could go to the RJD, which also has one MLA, if the NCP pushed too hard. However, he later stepped back, saying he wouldn’t interfere in the party's internal matters.
Saseendran’s diminishing support within the NCP played a key role in the decision, with district presidents backing the leadership change. Final consultations between Pawar and the chief minister are expected before the transition is finalized.
