With Kerala Chief Minister-designate V.D. Satheesan successfully building consensus with senior leaders Ramesh Chennithala and K.C. Venugopal, the incoming UDF government’s ministerial berth discussions are nearly complete. The final list of ministers is expected to be submitted to Governor Rajendra Arlekar by 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Satheesan, along with others in the 21-member Cabinet, will be sworn in on Monday. The final decisions were reached after high-level meetings and several consultations within the Congress and its allies under the supervision of AICC general secretary Deepa Dasmunsi.
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala is likely to accept the Home and Vigilance portfolios, while Satheesan is expected to hold Finance. Chennithala, who was in the race for the chief minister's post, was reportedly unhappy with the high command's decision to name Satheesan as CM. Sources indicate that Satheesan met with Chennithala and reached an understanding to ensure that Chennithala’s loyalists would be allocated key positions in both the cabinet and the party organisation.
Meanwhile, AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal, who was also in the CM race, sought representation for his loyalists in the Cabinet.
The Congress is expected to hold 11 ministerial berths, including the CM post. Senior leaders, including K. Muraleedharan, Sunny Joseph and Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, are expected to secure Cabinet berths. There were also reports that Radhakrishnan would be taking up the Speaker's post. Muraleedharan likely to get Health portfolio, while Sunny Joseph is considered for Revnue, reported Manorama Online.
KPCC working presidents A.P Anil Kumar and P.C. Vishnunath, close aides of Venugopal, are also likely to be considered for the ministerial roles.
Congress leaders Bindu Krishna and Shanimol Usman are among the women contenders for the ministerial posts.
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is expected to receive five Cabinet berths. IUML national general secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty is almost certain to return to a ministerial role, reported Onmanorama. Among other likely candidates are K.M. Shaji, P.K. Basheer, N. Shamsudheen and Parakkal Abdulla.
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Reports say that the Muslim League leaders would be eyeing Industries and IT, Education, Public Works, Local Self-Government and Urban Affairs portfolios.
The Kerala Congress faction led by P.J. Joseph has sought two ministerial positions, said reports. Revolutionary Socialist Party's Shibu Baby John had told the media earlier that his talks with the Congress leadership were positive and the party is not insisting on any particular portfolio.
CMP's C.P. John is also expected to be accommodated in the ministry.
Meanwhile, the Chennithala camp is reportedly pushing for Joseph Vazhakkan to be appointed as the next KPCC president, with Sunny Joseph set to join the Cabinet.
