Kerala CM VD Satheesan and 20 Ministers to Take Oath Today
Chief minister-designate V D Satheesan has unveiled a 21-member United Democratic Front (UDF) cabinet ahead of a swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Monday at Central Stadium. The announcement follows a period of government formation negotiations described as a “roller-coaster political ride.”
The newly announced ministry includes 14 first-time ministers. The composition features two women and two members from the Scheduled Caste community. Satheesan noted that the entire UDF ministry will be sworn in together, marking the first time in nearly six decades that a full UDF cabinet will take the oath simultaneously.
Cabinet Allocation and Party Representation
The Congress party has been allotted 11 ministerial berths in addition to the chief minister’s post. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has been assigned five positions. The remaining seats have been distributed among smaller partners, with Kerala Congress (Joseph), the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Kerala Congress (Jacob), and the Communist Marxist Party (CMP) each receiving one berth.
The Congress ministerial lineup includes Ramesh Chennithala, Sunny Joseph, K Muraleedharan, A P Anilkumar, P C Vishnunadh, Bindhu Krishna, M Lijju, T Siddique, Roji M John, K A Thulasi, and O J Janeesh. The IUML nominees are P K Kunhalikutty, K M Shaji, N Shamsudheen, P K Basheer, and V E Abdul Gafoor. Other cabinet members include Mons Joseph of Kerala Congress (Joseph), Anoop Jacob of Kerala Congress (Jacob), Shibu Baby John of the RSP, and C P John of the CMP.
Regarding the final composition, Satheesan stated that social and regional balance, along with representation for women and Dalit communities, were primary factors in the selection process. He noted that only 11 ministerial positions were available for the Congress despite the party holding 63 MLAs. Meanwhile, sources indicated that nominees backed by K C Venugopal secured a significant presence in the ministry and gained prominence in the allocation of portfolios.
Legislative Appointments and Contemporaneous Developments
In addition to the cabinet members, Satheesan announced that Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan will serve as the Speaker and Shanimol Usman will serve as the Deputy Speaker.
In a separate development, police in Wayanad have registered a case following the appearance of posters targeting Congress leaders in the region.
The upcoming swearing-in ceremony at Central Stadium is expected to be attended by high-profile figures, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge, as well as four chief ministers.