Small coalitions ideal, says Maharashtra Governor

"As far as possible, coalitions with less number of parties are always good. Otherwise, accountability will be less, leading to administrative difficulties ultimately affecting the people at large," the Governor said here at a function to mark the 125th anniversary of Legislative Assembly in Kerala.

He said a national-debate was necessary on the issue as the spurt in the number of political parties was affecting the development of the nation.

The existence of like-minded parties was no longer relevant, he said, adding "If they are like-minded, only one party should be there."

Ruling and Opposition parties at the Centre and states should always have positive thinking on developmental schemes.

He said Kerala was far ahead of other states in introducing important legislations, adding, many states were yet to take up land reforms and enact labour laws.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who presided over the function, said Kerala legislature had always moved ahead of other states in bringing progressive legislations that included several welfare schemes for farmers and the poor.

This had happened because political parties in successive governments were vying with each other to introduce new schemes for marginalised sections, he said.

Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan, in his keynote address, cautioned against alleged moves of the present UDF government to scuttle land reforms. "Our historic legislations including land reforms Act should be kept intact," he said.

The first form of today's Kerala Assembly was the Travancore Legislative Council which met for the first time on August 23, 1888 during the rule of Sree Moolam Thirunal. The Council had eight nominated members.