2 weeks ago
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Amid aggravated speculation implicit Cabinet enactment and portfolio allocation successful Kerala’s caller United Democratic Front (UDF) government, Chief Minister-designate V.D. Satheesan indicated connected Saturday (May 16, 2026) that the afloat database of Ministers volition beryllium handed implicit to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar by Sunday (May 17, 2026) evening.
Mr. Satheesan, who was engaged holding talks with elder Congress leaders and different UDF partners connected Saturday (May 16, 2026), said the afloat Council of Ministers would instrumentality the oath of bureau astatine 10 a.m. connected Monday (May 18, 2026) astatine the Central Stadium successful Thiruvananthapuram.
The State superior witnessed hectic parleys and negotiations done the day, arsenic the Congress-led UDF steered discussions to finalise the Ministerial berths up of Monday’s (May 18, 2026) swearing-in ceremony. Rumours suggest that the Chief Minister is considering holding connected to the Finance portfolio himself.
‘True Congressman’
Speculation is rife that elder Congress person Ramesh Chennithala, who was reportedly disgruntled implicit being bypassed for the Chief Minister’s post, volition articulation the Cabinet arsenic Home Minister.
Mr. Satheesan and AICC wide caput K.C. Venugopal, who had besides been an aspirant for the CM’s post, some met Mr. Chennithala for conciliatory talks. Speaking to reporters aft the meeting, Mr. Chennithala restricted his comments to 1 sentence: “I’m ever a existent Congressman.”
Reports suggested that Mr. Chennithala had besides demanded Ministerial berths for Anwar Sadath and T.J. Vinod. After his gathering with Mr. Venugopal, Mr. Satheesan said decisions successful the Congress and the UDF are made democratically and successful consultation with everyone.
Other names from the Congress that were doing the rounds connected Saturday (May 16, 2026) included KPCC president Sunny Joseph, K. Muraleedharan, P.C. Vishnunadh, Chandy Oommen, M. Liju, and Bindu Krishna.
UDF partners
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is reportedly bidding for 5 ministerial berths, the aforesaid fig the enactment held successful the past UDF authorities headed by Oommen Chandy from 2011 to 2016. Mr. Satheesan held discussions with elder IUML leaders, aft which IUML wide caput P.K. Kunhalikutty said the UDF could disclose its decisions lone aft discussions with each the beforehand partners are completed.
The IUML’s parliamentary enactment conscionable is scheduled for Sunday (May 17, 2026) greeting successful Thiruvananthapuram, aft which determination volition beryllium much clarity connected the IUML ministers. Names being suggested see Mr. Kunhalikutty and N. Shamsudeen.
Another UDF member, the Kerala Congress (Joseph), is understood to beryllium demanding 2 seats successful the Cabinet, portion the Communist Marxist Party’s C.P. John is besides reportedly being discussed arsenic a imaginable contender.
