Congress, Alliance Partners Reach Consensus On UDF Cabinet Formation
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), with 22 MLAs, has finalised four nominees for ministerial berths: P K Kunhalikutty, Parakkal Abdullah, K M Shaji, and N Shamsuddin. The fifth minister will be chosen between V E Abdul Gafoor and A K M Ashraf.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Congress has reportedly reached an agreement on ministerial berths for its leaders in the UDF government, set to be sworn in on Monday.
Alongside Chief Minister-designate V D Satheesan, the top contenders for Cabinet positions include K Muraleedharan, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, Sunny Joseph, Bindu Krishna, A P Anil Kumar, P C Vishnunath, Chandy Oommen, and M Liju. Also under consideration are Shanimol Usman, I C Balakrishnan, T Siddique, Roji M John, and Mathew Kuzhalnadan.
The names will also be discussed with the Congress high command before taking a final call.
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), with 22 MLAs, has finalised four nominees for ministerial berths: P K Kunhalikutty, Parakkal Abdullah, K M Shaji, and N Shamsuddin. The fifth minister will be chosen between V E Abdul Gafoor and A K M Ashraf.
The nominees of other alliance partners; Mons Joseph of Kerala Congress (Joseph), Shibu Baby John of RSP, C P John of CMP, Anoop Jacob of Kerala Congress (Joseph), and Mani C Kappen will each serve a term of two and a half years.
Chennithala on board
Meanwhile, the Congress finally appeased veteran leader Ramesh Chennithala by persuading him to accept the Home and Vigilance portfolio in the new government led by V D Satheesan. Chennithala, who was upset over being overlooked by the high command for the Chief Minister’s post despite his seniority in the organisation and administrative experience, was brought on board by Satheesan and AICC general secretary K C Venugopal. Both leaders met Chennithala separately at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram for detailed discussions.
Chennithala skipped the Congress Legislature Party meeting on Thursday, expressing his displeasure over the AICC decision. He remained incommunicado for several hours before returning to his residence in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday morning.
Satheesan met Chennithala at his home on Friday and tried to persuade him to come on board. While the veteran leader reportedly agreed to join, he was keen on securing ministerial berths and organizational posts for his close aides.
Satheesan also met K C Venugopal to discuss the Cabinet formation. After the meeting, Satheesan said Venugopal is a leader who has finalised chief ministers and ministers in many states, and they would work under his guidance. Venugopal stated that for him, the party is above everything, and once a decision is made, it is their duty to comply fully. He emphasised there are no differences within the party and that their priority is to provide an effective government under V D Satheesan, one that will meet the expectations of the people and deliver. He added that addressing the issues of the poor and marginalised is a top priority.
Chief Minister-designate Satheesan presided over a meeting of UDF alliance partners at the PCC headquarters to finalise the ministerial berths and discuss portfolios. “We have had fruitful discussions. The portfolios will be finalised soon,” said Shibu Baby John.
