Kerala CM Satheesan keeps key portfolios as UDF finalises ministerial allocations
Thiruvananthapuram, May 20
Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan has retained the plum portfolios of Finance, Law and Ports in the 21-member United Democratic Front ministry, whose portfolio allocation was finalised after days of intense coalition discussions and internal bargaining.
The Cabinet composition reflects the coalition arithmetic within the ruling front, with the Congress securing 12 berths and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) five.
The remaining four berths have gone to alliance partners - the Revolutionary Socialist Party, the Communist Marxist Party, the Kerala Congress-Joseph, and the Kerala Congress-Jacob, with one cabinet berth each.
In a major generational shift within the UDF, 14 members of the Cabinet, including Satheesan himself, are becoming ministers for the first time.
Of these, six leaders have entered the ministry as first-time MLAs.
The swearing-in of the MLAs takes place on Thursday, and the Speaker will be elected on Friday.
Then, after a break, the house assembles again on May 29 when Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar will read out the new government's address.
Then the house will discuss the address for three days starting June 1.
Following is a list of portfolios:
(Congress)
Chief Minister Satheesan - Finance, Law, Ports
Ramesh Chennithala - Home, Vigilance, Coir
Sunny Joseph - Electricity, Environment, Parliamentary Affairs
K. Muraleedharan - Health, Food Safety, Devaswoms
A. P. Anil Kumar - Land Revenue
P. C. Vishnunath - Tourism, Culture, Films
M. Liju - Co-operation, Excise
Roji M. John - Collegiate Education
T. Siddique - Agriculture
K. A. Thulasi - Development of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes
Bindu Krishna - Labour, Animal Husbandry, Women & Child Development
O. J. Janeesh - Sports, Youth Affairs, Zoos
(IUML)
P.K. Kunhalikutty - Industries & Commerce, Information Technology, Handlooms & Textiles
N. Shamsudheen - General Education, Wakf, Haj Pilgrimage
K.M. Shaji - Panchayat, Municipality, Corporation, Town Planning, Rural Development
P.K. Basheer - Public Works Department
V.E. Abdul Gafoor - Fisheries, Social Justice
(Kerala Congress-Joseph)
Mons Joseph - Irrigation, Housing
(Kerala Congress - Jacob)
Anoop Jacob - Food & Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs
(RSP)
Shibu Baby John - Forests & Wildlife Protection
(CMP)
C.P. John - Transport
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally some fresh faces! 14 first-time ministers shows UDF is learning from LDF's mistake of having same old faces. But IUML getting IT and education? That's a bit concerning for secular education.
As a Malayali, I'm watching closely. Satheesan needs to deliver on development, especially after Pinarayi's infrastructure push. Hope this isn't just portfolio drama but real work begins now. 🙏
Bindu Krishna getting Labour and Women & Child Development - finally a woman handling women's issues! But splitting Devaswoms and haj under different ministries might create administrative confusion. Let's see.
I'm from Kottayam and Anoop Jacob getting Food & Civil Supplies is interesting. His father used to handle this portfolio well. But 21 ministers seems excessive for Kerala's size - hope our tax money is well spent.
Disappointed that Fisheries went to IUML. Our coastal communities need focused attention, not political bargaining. But happy to see O.J. Janeesh get Sports - finally youth may get some priority. 👏
The real test begins now. Satheesan has won the internal battle, but can he unite this coalition to govern effectively? Pinar
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