Thiruvananthapuram, May 20: After days of political maneuvering and intense discussions, the allocation of departments in Kerala’s 21-member United Democratic Front (UDF) government, led by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, has been completed. This marks the formal beginning of a new political chapter in the state.
The last Congress-led UDF government in Kerala was established in 2011 under Oommen Chandy. The new cabinet showcases a generational shift within Congress and the UDF, with a significant number of new faces being appointed as ministers for the first time.
Among the 14 cabinet members, including Chief Minister Satheesan, several are first-time ministers. Six of these leaders have been elected as legislators for the first time. This is seen as an effort to project a youthful and fresh leadership image for the UDF.
In a notable departure from recent political traditions, Congress has included two female ministers in the cabinet. Bindu Krishna has been assigned the labor department, while K.A. Tulsi, the wife of Congress MP V.K. Sreekandan from Palakkad, will oversee the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.
New faces like M. Liju have been given significant portfolios, including excise and cooperation.
The final allocation of departments was the result of prolonged discussions, factionalism, and pressure from coalition partners. The most contentious issue arose over the fisheries department, which was allocated to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
The Latin Catholic Church openly opposed this decision, demanding that the department remain with Congress, citing insufficient representation for the coastal community in the cabinet.
Despite the opposition, the Muslim League maintained its stance. Reports indicated that the party suggested that if the fisheries department was taken back, it should be compensated with the higher education department. This proposal faced resistance from some factions within Congress and the Church. Ultimately, the UDF decided to retain the fisheries department under the Muslim League, assigning it to V.E. Abdul Gafoor.
Internal factional dynamics within Congress also contributed to the delays. There was a tug-of-war between K. Muraleedharan and A.P. Anil Kumar over the health department. In the end, Muraleedharan was assigned health and Devaswom, while Anil Kumar received the revenue department.
In a break from tradition, Chief Minister Satheesan retained the finance, law, general administration, and ports departments for himself, while the home and vigilance departments were handed to senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala.
Other key departments include industry and IT for P.K. Kunhalikutty, tourism, culture, and cinema for P.C. Vishnunath, and local self-government for K.M. Shaji.
Meanwhile, G. Sudhakaran, a rebel leader from the CPI(M) who was elected from Ambalapuzha with UDF support, took the oath as the pro tem speaker of the Kerala Assembly’s 16th term on Wednesday. He was sworn in by Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar.
The newly elected legislators will take their oaths in the presence of G. Sudhakaran on Thursday.
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