Unicameral System

Assembly:  

The legislative arm of the state is the Assembly where policy decisions pertaining to the state are taken after profound discussions among the members. The Assembly meets once in six months. The Speaker decides the duration of each session after discussing with leaders of legislative parties. When the Assembly is not in session the Government issues ordinance that are brought to the next Assembly meet. Kerala Assembly has strength of 141 members, 140 are democratically elected and the state Governor, on recommendation of the ruling party, nominates a representative of Anglo-Indian community.  Tenure of the Assembly is five years and the incumbent, which was formed in May 1999, is the 10th after the state formation.

The Speaker presides over the proceedings of the Assembly. His political and leadership acumen has a great role in the smooth functioning of the Assembly meetings.  Deputy Speaker, who is elected from the ruling party or ruling coalition, chairs the meetings in the speakers absence or on his direction.

Opposition leader:  A strong and vigilant opposition is the cornerstone of a democracy.  Opposition leader leads the opposition’s fight against anomalies and corrupt tendencies in the Government functioning.

Cabinet: Comprises Chief Minister and other Ministers heading various departments. Chief Minister presides over cabinet meetings and issues slated for the meetings along with exigencies are discussed and decisions are taken. Each department has a secretary to help the minister run it. The Chief Secretary is the highest position in the bureaucratic ladder, and has an important coordinating role at highest-level decision-making, and operates under Chief Minister.

Local Governing bodies:  Kerala has implemented the decentralization of power in an ambitious manner. The three-tier local bodies are democratically elected for a term of five years. Village panchayats are the lowest-rung ruling bodies with block and district the other two categories. 

POLITICAL PAST OF MODERN KERALA
 
(See http://www.electionnext.com for more analytical version of Kerala Politics)

Before the birth of Kerala in 1956, Malayalam-speaking people were scattered over princely states of Travancore and Cochin (Kochi) and Malabar district of Madras state.   Read More...