The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is close to finalising the composition of its new cabinet ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister-designate VD Satheesan on Monday, with sources indicating that alliance partners have broadly agreed on the distribution of ministerial berths.
According to CNN-News18 sources, the Congress is likely to get 12 cabinet berths, including the Chief Minister’s post, in the incoming Kerala government.
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key UDF ally, is expected to receive five berths.
Sources further indicated that the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Kerala Congress (Joseph), Kerala Congress (Jacob), and CMP are likely to get one berth each in the new ministry.
However, the final list
of ministers has not yet been officially announced.
FINAL LIST EXPECTED SOON
Congress leader Shafi Parambil on Sunday said the cabinet list of the incoming UDF government was expected within hours ahead of Monday’s swearing-in ceremony.
Speaking to reporters, Parambil said the new government would focus on fulfilling the expectations of the people after the alliance returned to power following a decade in opposition.
“It’s the time to supply. It’s time to supply and cater to the needs of the people. We have demanded an opportunity. The public gave us, it’s time for us to supply,” he said, according to ANI.
Parambil added that discussions regarding cabinet formation were still underway within the party and among alliance partners.
“In a few hours, we can expect the cabinet minister list, I guess. Tomorrow is the ceremony. So before that anyway,” he said.
On questions regarding his own role in the government or the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), Parambil declined to comment, saying his focus remained on organisational work.
IUML SAYS NAMES TO BE SUBMITTED TO GOVERNOR
IUML State General Secretary PMA Salam also indicated that the formal process of finalising the ministry was nearing completion.
Salam said the list of ministers would be handed over to the Governor before 4 pm on Sunday, after which the alliance would officially disclose the names.
“Before 4 pm, the list of ministers will be handed to the Governor. That time we will tell who all are the ministers,” he said.
The IUML is expected to play a major role in the new government with five probable berths, reflecting the party’s importance within the UDF coalition.
KERALA CONGRESS FACTIONS GET REPRESENTATION
The Kerala Congress story this time has unfolded along two sharply contrasting political arcs, with both the Joseph and Jacob factions expected to secure representation in the cabinet.
The Kerala Congress (Joseph) faction, led by veteran leader PJ Joseph, remains a prominent regional party within the Congress-led UDF and has traditionally enjoyed influence in parts of central Kerala.
Meanwhile, Kerala Congress (Jacob), another recognised regional constituent of the UDF, is also likely to secure a berth in the ministry.
The party has largely focused on issues related to agriculture, federalism, and the welfare of farmers and marginalised communities.
SWEARING-IN CEREMONY ON MONDAY
Earlier in the day, VD Satheesan held discussions with senior party leaders at the KPCC office in Thiruvananthapuram to finalise the cabinet list.
State Congress president Sunny Joseph and UDF convener Adoor Prakash were among those present during the meeting.
Parambil also said senior Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony.
Chief Ministers from Congress-ruled states are also likely to participate.
The Congress-led UDF secured 102 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly, ending the Left Democratic Front’s ten-year rule in the state, according to ANI.
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