Published May 16, 2026 | 2:24 PM ⚊ Updated May 16, 2026 | 2:24 PM
VD Satheesan holding talks with IUML State president Syed Shihab Thangal, national general secretary PK Kunhalikutty and others on Saturday.
Synopsis: Even as the UDF prepares to assume power in Kerala, fierce behind-the-scenes negotiations over Cabinet berths and key portfolios have exposed sharp factional undercurrents within the Congress and growing pressure from allies. The spotlight remains firmly on the unresolved Satheesan-Chennithala equation, with parallel bargaining by the Muslim League, KC Venugopal camp and Kerala Congress factions turning the final hours before swearing-in into a tense political balancing act.
With only hours left for the swearing-in of the new UDF government in Kerala, intense last-minute negotiations over Cabinet formation continued deep into Saturday, exposing unresolved tensions within the Congress and mounting pressure from alliance partners.
Chief Minister-designate V. D. Satheesan held a second consecutive round of discussions with senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala at the latter’s residence in Thiruvananthapuram, in what has emerged as the most closely watched political engagement ahead of the government announcement.
The meeting, which lasted around 20 minutes, comes amid continuing uncertainty over Chennithala’s role in the incoming government. Though Congress leaders publicly insist that differences will be resolved smoothly, there are still no clear signs of a final settlement.
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CM-designate V D Satheesan with Ramesh Chennithala on Saturday
Chennithala, who was one of the strongest contenders for the Chief Minister’s post, is learnt to have conveyed his displeasure over the Congress high command’s decision to pick Satheesan as Legislature Party leader and Chief Minister-designate.
The veteran leader had initially skipped key party engagements and briefly stayed away from public interactions, fuelling speculation that he may opt out of the Cabinet altogether.
Later, even after publicly extending support to Satheesan and the incoming government, leaders close to Chennithala say he remains dissatisfied with the manner in which the leadership decision was handled.
At the centre of the discussions is the question of portfolios.
Having previously served as Home Minister in the Oommen Chandy government, Chennithala is believed to be keen on securing the Home department once again, along with Vigilance, a combination widely seen as the second most powerful position in the Cabinet after the Chief Minister.
Inside Congress circles, the demand has triggered competing calculations.
Sources indicate that Satheesan camp is reluctant to part with the Home portfolio easily, given its political and administrative significance.
Some leaders close to the CM-designate reportedly favour allocating Finance or another major portfolio to Chennithala instead.
CM-designate VD Satheesan holding talks with Ramesh Chennithala on Friday
The talks have also acquired a larger factional dimension within the Congress.
Chennithala’s supporters are pressing for adequate representation in the government, including Cabinet berths for leaders identified with his camp like Jyothikumar Chamakkala and Anwar Sadath. There are also discussions surrounding key Assembly positions, including the Speaker’s post.
Senior UDF leaders, including P. J. Joseph and P. J. Kurien, are understood to have intervened privately, urging Satheesan to ensure Chennithala’s inclusion in the Cabinet in order to avoid fresh factional turbulence at the very start of the government.
Also Read: ‘Congress surrendered to IUML’: NSS unhappy despite a Nair CM pick
Running parallel to the Congress deliberations are crucial discussions involving the Indian Union Muslim League, which is finalising its own ministerial claims.
The League is expected to seek five Cabinet berths in the new government and has strongly staked claim to the Education portfolio. Party sources indicated that a tentative list has already been prepared, featuring leaders such as P. K. Kunhalikutty, P. K. Basheer, N. Shamsuddin, K. M. Shaji and V. E. Abdul Gafoor.
Within League circles, discussions continue over regional representation, with leaders from Kozhikode demanding Cabinet presence after the party’s strong performance in the district. Similar demands have emerged from Kasaragod, where supporters are pushing for the inclusion of Manjeswaram MLA A. K. M. Ashraf.
The emergence of V.E. Abdul Gafoor, son of former minister V. K. Ibrahim Kunju, has also drawn attention within political circles, given that his name had not figured prominently during the initial phase of discussions.
Meanwhile, Satheesan also held discussions with League leaders on Saturday.
Though League sources described it as a courtesy meeting, the timing has added to speculation over the final shape of the coalition arrangement.
CM-designate V D Satheesan with K C Venugopal at Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday
At another power centre within the Congress, senior Congress leader and AICC general secretary (organization) K. C. Venugopal continued to hold consultations with party leaders and aspirants.
Leaders have been making a steady stream of visits to his residence, where parallel discussions over Cabinet composition and organisational balance are said to be taking place.
Sources close to Venugopal’s camp indicated that leaders aligned with him are pushing for significant representation in the ministry, with demands that at least seven to eight ministers close to him be accommodated in the final list.
Satheesan also held talks with Venugopal on Saturday.
To make matters worse is the Kerala Congress-Joseph faction, who remains adamant on two ministerial berths, whereas Congress is trying hard to limit into one.
Though Congress leaders had stated on Friday that the list of ministers would be finalised and released on Saturday itself, deliberations remain incomplete and may run late into the evening.
For now, the biggest unanswered question remains whether Satheesan and Chennithala can arrive at a political understanding before the oath-taking ceremony — and if so, on what terms.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
