Government of Kerala : An Overview

With the total geographical area of 38,863 sq. km the state of Kerala is surrounded by Karnataka to the north, Tamil Nadu to the south and Lakshadweep sea in the west. Located at 8⁰18’ and 12⁰48’ to north latitudes and 74⁰52’ and 77⁰22’ east longitudes, the state of Kerala is famous for its fascinating tourist destinations mainly for its Backwaters and Ayurvedic treatment and flora and fauna.

The administrative set up Kerala is divided into fourteen districts which are further divided into six historical regions; namely North Malabar (far north Kerala), Malabar (northern Kerala), Kochi (central Kerala), Northern Travancore, Central Travancore (southern Kerala) and Sothern Travancore (far south Kerala). These are again divided into 63 taluks with an objective of generating taxes

The administrative head of the state, unlike several states of India, is the Governor who is appointed by the President of India. However, the rest of the administrative controls are enjoyed by the Chief Minister of the ruling party. Of the two major political parties of Indian Politics namely Indian National Congress (INC) and Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), the regional parties mainly dominate the political scenario of the politics in the southern state. Kerala is not an exception to it.

The existence of Bhartiya Janta Party in the state of Kerala is nominal however the other political party INC with its alliances known as UDF  (United Democratic Federation) gets tough competition from the coalition of the various regional parties headed by CPI (M) known as LDF  (Left Democratic Federation).

The Major Political parties influencing politics in Kerala area Indian National Congress (INC), Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI (M),Communist Party of India (CPI), Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP), Muslim League (ML), Kerala Congress (M) KC (M), Revolutionary Socialist Party (Bolshevic) RSP (B),Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Kerala Congress (KC), Kerala Congress (Jacob) KC (JA), Janadhipathya Samrakshana Samithi (JSS), Janatha Dal (Secular) JD (S), Kerala Congress (B) KC (B), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Communist Marxist Party (CMP), Indian National League (INL), Social Action Party (SAP), Siva Sen (SS), Samajwadi Janatha Party (SJP), Rastriya Janatha Dal (RJD), Janatha Dal (United) JD (U), Janatha Party (JP).

At present Honorable Shri. V.S. Achuthanandan is the Chief Minister of the state, Shri Achuthanadan is representative of CPI (M) led LDF, where as the Oommen Chandy of the UDF is the leader of opposition in the Vidhan Sabha.