Kerala politics LIVE: All eyes on Congress equations in Satheesan’s home turf ahead of Cabinet formation – The Hindu
The United Democratic Front (UDF) is scheduled to finalize its new Cabinet and portfolio allocations during a leadership meeting on Saturday, May 16. The decision follows the emergence of V.D. Satheesan as the Chief Minister-designate for the Congress-led coalition.
The elevation of Mr. Satheesan follows a period of intense internal turbulence within the party. While the UDF held a meeting at Cantonment House in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, UDF convener Adoor Prakash described the gathering as a “formal” meeting that did not arrive at final decisions regarding ministerial berths.
Political speculation has intensified regarding the composition of the Cabinet, particularly in Ernakulam, which serves as Mr. Satheesan’s political stronghold. Party insiders suggest the district may see an increased presence in the new government. In the previous Oommen Chandy-led UDF administration, the Congress did not have a minister from Ernakulam; ministerial representation for the district was held by the Indian Union Muslim League’s V.K. Ebrahim Kunju and Anoop Jacob of the Kerala Congress(J).
Several candidates from the district have been identified as ministerial probables, including Aluva MLA Anvar Sadath, T.J. Vinod, Roji M. John of Angamaly, and Mathew Kuzhalnadan of Muvattupuzha. The selection process is expected to navigate complex factional and community equations. While Mr. Sadath, and Mr. Vinod are considered close to senior leader Ramesh Chennithala, Mr. John and Mr. Kuzhalnadan reportedly have the backing of All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K.C. Venugopal.
The role of Mr. Chennithala remains a focal point of the coalition’s internal dynamics. Speculation has circulated regarding whether Mr. Chennithala will join the new Cabinet, with some reports questioning if he will serve as Home Minister. The Telegraph India reported that Mr. Chennithala has been playing “hide and seek” with the Chief Minister-designate as the party manages internal tensions.
Addressing the friction within the senior leadership, AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal stated that differences among senior Congress leaders concerning the selection of the Kerala Chief Minister, including issues involving Mr. Chennithala, would be resolved smoothly.
The UDF leadership is set to reconvene on Saturday to reach final decisions on Cabinet formation and the allocation of portfolios.