Kerala’s proposed power deal with GNA Energy has come under political scrutiny after BJP MLA V Muraleedharan questioned why the state government planned to procure electricity through the private platform without inviting tenders.
Muraleedharan alleged that the decision to purchase power through GNA Energy was suspicious and demanded that Chief Minister VD Satheesan explain the criteria used to select the platform. GNA Energy is described in the report as an over-the-counter platform that connects power buyers and sellers.
The MLA also asked whether other firms had approached the government with offers and sought details of the discussions between Satheesan and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. According to the allegations reported by the Times of India, Himachal Pradesh had been considered as a possible source of electricity before the government’s reported decision involving GNA Energy.
Muraleedharan questioned why Kerala did not enter into an agreement with Himachal Pradesh if that option offered power for a longer period. He said GNA Energy was expected to supply electricity only from November 2026 to March 2027, leaving April and May outside the proposed supply period. Those months are typically relevant to power demand planning, but the report does not provide an official assessment of Kerala’s expected demand or supply position during the period.
The BJP MLA claimed that an assessment of the overall cost showed that procuring power from Himachal Pradesh would be more economical. The report does not include the comparative tariff, transmission charges, contract conditions or other financial details behind that assessment. It also does not include a response from the Kerala government, the power department, GNA Energy or the Himachal Pradesh government to the allegations.
Muraleedharan further questioned the role of power minister Sunny Joseph, alleging that the minister had not been sufficiently involved in decisions concerning his department. He said the minister’s reported lack of involvement raised questions about his continuation in office.
The controversy places the focus on how Kerala selects short-term electricity suppliers, evaluates competing offers and discloses the financial and operational basis for procurement decisions. The immediate questions raised by the MLA concern the absence of a tender, the selection process, the duration of supply and the comparative cost of the alternatives. The government’s explanation on these points will determine whether the dispute remains a political allegation or leads to scrutiny of the procurement decision itself.
