UDF cabinet formation: Congress to initiate talks with allies over key portfolios

NEW DELHI: Amidst high-level discussions to finalise the Chief Ministerial candidate, the Congress leadership is set to initiate talks with allied parties regarding the formation of the new cabinet. Reports suggest that the negotiations will also focus on a potential reshuffling of key portfolios.

Congress is likely to retain control over several high-profile ministries, including Home, Finance, Revenue, Forest, Devaswom, Energy, and Tourism. Instead, the party plans to offer departments such as Irrigation, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Food and Civil Supplies, Fisheries, Labour, and Transport to its allies.

Meanwhile, there is a growing demand within the Congress to not allocate the Education portfolio to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) this time. Instead, the IUML might be offered the Health Ministry. The IUML is expected to retain its hold on Industries, Local Self-Government, and Public Works. Although the IT department was under the IUML in the 2011 UDF cabinet, there is a strong push within Congress to take over the portfolio in the new government.

According to the current proposal, the Congress will have 12 ministerial berths, including the Chief Minister, and will also hold the Speaker's post. The IUML is expected to receive four ministerial positions and the Deputy Speaker's post. However, Congress leaders remain wary of potential pressure from the IUML for a fifth ministerial berth. Should such a demand be conceded, the IUML may have to forgo the Deputy Speaker's post.

As for other allies, the Kerala Congress (Joseph) is likely to be granted one ministerial position and the Chief Whip post, while the RSP is expected to receive one cabinet seat. Smaller allies with single representation, such as Kerala Congress (Jacob), RMP, and CMP, may be offered ministerial berths on a rotational (term-based) basis. The Congress leadership aims to conclude these negotiations with its allies at the earliest to ensure a smooth transition.