Thiruvananthapuram: A new formula is being devised by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) to satisfy all its constituents by giving ministerial berths to all. This was discussed in a meeting of CPM with 10 LDF partners, sources told Manorama News.
Political parties with a lone MLA like Congress (S), Kerala Congress (B), Janadhipathya Kerala Congress (JKC) and Indian National League (INL) may get a minister each but their tenure will be curtailed to two-and-a-half years, Manorama News reported.
A broad understanding on the cabinet has been reached. Accordingly the CPM will have 12 ministers, CPI four, and Janata Dal (S) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) one each.
A final decision on whether the other remaining parties will be taken in the cabinet is yet to be taken in an LDF leadership meeting scheduled for Monday.
Kerala Congress (M) has demanded two ministerial posts, but the CPM pointed out that Kerala Congress (Joseph) with six MLAs, and the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) with five MLAs had only one minister each in the 1996 E K Nayanar-led cabinet.
KC(M) has demanded the post of Chief Whip if it would not get the second cabinet berth.
Chances of LJD getting a ministerial post became remote since it had not merged with JD(S) as suggested.
Even though, earlier it was thought that Ramachandran Kadannappally (Congress-S) might not be accommodated in the cabinet, if the new formula of half a tenure works then he too will get a ministerial berth.
K B Ganesh Kumar (KC-B) was earlier considered for a full term minister post, but if the new formula is accepted he might have to settle for half the term.
Kovoor Kunjumon, who is supporting the front from outside, will not be considered for being a minister.
Both NCP and JD(S) have said they will announce their ministers on May 18, after the official LDF announcement. All the parties are expected to elect Pinarayi Vijayan as the chief minister on the same day.
District units mount pressure on CPI
The district units of CPI are mounting pressure for ministerial positions. The CPI will decide its four ministers and Deputy Speaker nominee on Tuesday.
With state working committee member P Prasad from Alappuzha and K Rajan from Thrissur are almost certain to be included in the cabinet, hectic lobbying is on for the remaining two ministerial positions and the post of Deputy Speaker.
Of the 17 CPI MLAs, Chittayam Gopakumar, C K Asha and V Sasi are from scheduled castes. A demand to nominate one of them to the cabinet is under the party’s consideration.
All three MLAs from Kollam are also seeking ministerial positions. J Chinchu Rani has an upperhand since she is a member of the party’s state working committee and national council.
The CPI leadership, however, is under pressure from those backing P S Supal, a third-time MLA and a member of the party’s state council.
A counter argument, citing the party norm against fielding those who had contested three times, is opposing Supal’s nomination to the cabinet. Senior MLA C S Jayalal is also in the race to the cabinet.
The party’s Thiruvananthapuram unit, too, is demanding a cabinet berth, saying CPI has won both the seats it had contested in the district. Deputy Speaker V Sasi and the party’s district committee secretary G R Anil are the successful candidates from Thiruvananthapuram. Since the party is unlikely to consider a second term for Minister E Chandrasekharan, chances of Sasi becoming a minister is also remote.
Senior MLA and state council member E K Vijayan (Nadapuram) is another MLA who is in the list of probable ministers.
CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran's stand will be crucial.
The state working committee will discuss Kanam's suggestions. An online meeting of the state council will finalise the ministers.
