📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Vinayaraj
Politics
Kerala grapples with power cuts as political tussle intensifies
✍️ The News Minute
🗓 14 Sep 2026, 01:01 AM
👁 7
Kerala is experiencing widespread power cuts, prompting a sharp political showdown between the ruling party and opposition.
Kerala has entered a phase of regular power cuts as the state electricity board implements load‑shedding to balance supply and demand. Residents across major towns and rural districts report scheduled outages that disrupt daily activities and business operations.
Officials cite a combination of factors behind the shortage, including delayed commissioning of new generation units, maintenance shutdowns of existing plants, and higher-than‑expected consumption during the summer months. The board has warned that the gap may persist until additional power is secured.
The electricity crisis has quickly become a political flashpoint. The ruling party attributes the shortfall to delays in central government approvals and funding, while opposition leaders accuse the administration of mismanagement and failure to invest in renewable capacity. Both sides have used the issue to rally supporters ahead of upcoming elections.
Citizens and consumer groups are urging swift remedial action, calling for transparent communication about restoration timelines and for accelerated procurement of alternative power sources. The dispute underscores how infrastructure challenges can fuel partisan debate in the state.
Officials cite a combination of factors behind the shortage, including delayed commissioning of new generation units, maintenance shutdowns of existing plants, and higher-than‑expected consumption during the summer months. The board has warned that the gap may persist until additional power is secured.
The electricity crisis has quickly become a political flashpoint. The ruling party attributes the shortfall to delays in central government approvals and funding, while opposition leaders accuse the administration of mismanagement and failure to invest in renewable capacity. Both sides have used the issue to rally supporters ahead of upcoming elections.
Citizens and consumer groups are urging swift remedial action, calling for transparent communication about restoration timelines and for accelerated procurement of alternative power sources. The dispute underscores how infrastructure challenges can fuel partisan debate in the state.