A day after the swearing-in of the new UDF government in Kerala, uncertainty continues over the allocation of portfolios in the V. D. Satheesan Cabinet, with intense political discussions and coalition negotiations reportedly still underway.
Chief Minister Satheesan had stated after the ceremony that the final portfolio list would only be officially announced after it is submitted to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and published through a Gazette notification.
The delay has triggered growing speculation within political circles, especially amid pressure from alliance partners, community groups and party factions seeking representation in key departments.
A major controversy has emerged over the absence of representation for the Latin Catholic community in the newly formed Cabinet. Church representatives have reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction after none of the four MLAs from the community — Tony Chammany, J Vinod, A D Thomas and M Vincent — were included in the ministry.
The Latin Catholic Church has also reportedly objected to the possibility of the Fisheries portfolio being allocated to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), considering the department’s significance to coastal communities in Kerala.
In protest against the lack of representation, Church representatives stayed away from Monday’s swearing-in ceremony. Following the controversy, Chief Minister Satheesan visited the Bishop’s House at Vellayambalam in Thiruvananthapuram and held discussions with Vicar General Fr Eugene Pereira.
Sources within the IUML indicate that senior leader P. K. Kunhalikutty is likely to receive the Industries and IT portfolios. Other major departments expected to go to IUML ministers include Education, Public Works, Local Self-Government and Urban Affairs.
Congress insiders also suggest that the new government may see an unconventional redistribution of key portfolios. According to party sources, Chief Minister Satheesan is expected to retain important departments including Finance, Ports and Law.
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala is likely to be entrusted with the Home and Vigilance portfolios — departments that are traditionally retained by Kerala Chief Ministers.
Meanwhile, KPCC president Sunny Joseph is expected to take charge of the Revenue department.
The delay in finalising portfolios has intensified speculation about last-minute bargaining within the coalition, particularly as the Congress leadership attempts to balance regional, community and factional interests in the 21-member ministry.
The Congress ministers in the Cabinet include V D Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala, Sunny Joseph, K Muraleedharan, A P Anil Kumar, P C Vishnunadh, Roji M John, Bindu Krishna, M Liju, T Siddique, K A Thulasi and O J Janeesh.
The IUML ministers are P K Kunhalikutty, N Samsudheen, K M Shaji, P K Basheer and V E Abdul Gafoor. Mons Joseph and Anoop Jacob represent Kerala Congress and KC (Jacob) respectively, while Shibu Baby John represents the RSP and C. P. John represents the CMP in the ministry.
Amid the fast-moving political developments in Kerala, Gold 101.3FM UAE’s No.1 radio station continues to provide listeners with the latest updates and analysis from the state’s evolving political landscape
