Thiruvananthapuram: CPM state secretariat has called for strong protests against power restrictions, alleging that UDF govt’s mismanagement had pushed Kerala into a severe electricity crisis. CPM alleged that the crisis was being used to push Keralam towards electricity privatisation and called for branch-level protests on Saturday.In a statement, the party said Keralam had remained free of power cuts during the 10 years of LDF rule due to long-term planning and timely intervention. It said the state had overcome serious crises in 2017 and 2023, including coal shortages, deficient rainfall, reduced hydropower generation and rising power consumption.CPM alleged that govt failed to inform consumers in advance about power cut timings. It also accused UDF and right-wing media of spreading ‘false narratives’ to blame LDF for the cancellation of a 765-MW power buy agreement signed in 2015.The party said Electricity Regulatory Commission had objected to the agreement as due procedures were not followed. Keralam, however, continued to buy power under the contract until the commission cancelled it, it said. LDF govt later initiated steps to restore the agreement, with the case pending before Supreme Court.
