Published May 16, 2026 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated May 16, 2026 | 7:00 AM
Apu John Joseph, Chandy Oommen, PC Vishnunath and Anoop Jacob
Synopsis: After a delay in announcing the next chief minister, the Congress is now moving rapidly to finalise the VD Satheesan Cabinet in Kerala. The Cabinet is likely to see several young faces.
The Congress party in Kerala is making rapid behind-the-scenes moves to finalise the new Cabinet of ministers.
The party has already promised proportional representation to its constituents, making smaller alliance partners, even with only one MLA each, hopeful of ministerial berths.
The Congress is likely to hold around 11 ministerial berths along with the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker. The remaining Cabinet positions will be distributed among the UDF alliance partners.
Key portfolios such as Finance and Home are likely to be assigned to senior leaders like Ramesh Chennithala and Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, both of whom have prior experience handling major departments.
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KPCC president Sunny Joseph and K Muraleedharan are also expected to land plum posts.
KPCC president Sunny Joseph revealed the details of the funds following LDF criticism.
AP Anil Kumar, a known KC Venugopal loyalist, is also expected to be included in VD Satheesan’s Cabinet.
PC Vishnunadh, another close associate of Venugopal, is also likely to be accommodated in the Cabinet.
M Liju, a former Congress spokesperson and MLA from Alappuzha, may get a key portfolio as part of internal reconciliation efforts, especially after Venugopal’s failed attempt to win the top-most post.
Popular figure Chandy Oommen, who retained Puthuppally, is likely to become a minister, but a final decision has yet to be made. However, while considering district-wise balance in the Cabinet, he may run into a roadblock.
Veteran Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and Mani C Kappen of the Kerala Democratic Party, too, are from Kottayam and eyeing Cabinet berths. Kappen, who defeated Kerala Congress (M) chairman Jose K Mani in Pala, is considered close to Satheesan. Only two of three would make it to the Cabinet if the UDF strictly strikes a district-wise balance.
Another possibility is that UDF may adopt a power-sharing arrangement similar to what LDF had implemented in the Transport Ministry. In the second Pinarayi government, Antony Raju held the transport portfolio for the first 2.5 years, and made way for KB Ganesh Kumar after the halfway mark.
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Bindu Krishna
Woman leader Bindu Krishna is also expected to be included in the Cabinet. Sources told South First that if seniority is prioritised, Shanimol Osman from Alappuzha may be included.
However, internal preference appears to favour Krishna, as she is considered a loyalist rather than a factional figure.
Although Krishna is a first-time MLA lacking ministerial experience, she may be given importance as the first woman MLA from Kollam.
RSP’s Shibu Baby John is also a strong contender from the district.
T Siddique from Wayanad district is also expected to be inducted into the Cabinet. VT Balram from Thrithala is another young face likely to be considered. Roji M John and Mohammed Shiyas are also expected to receive ministerial positions.
Speaking to South First, Apu John Joseph of the Kerala Congress (Joseph) said, ”We have demanded two ministerial posts and hope we will get that.”
Although he did not confirm his ascendence to the Cabinet, his inclusion is almost confirmed, especially since PJ Joseph did not contest this time and instead gave his ticket to his son, Apu.
KK Rema’s entry into the Cabinet is also being discussed, as RMP’s presence in the UDF is believed to have helped attract more left-leaning votes in the northern regions. However, there are indications that she may be offered a key post outside the ministry.
RMP insiders suggested that Rema is not strongly inclined towards a ministerial position.
CMP leader CP John.
A Congress insider told South First that CP John of the CMP will also be included in the cabinet. He has won the key Thiruvananthapuram Central constituency. Kerala Congress (Jacob) leader Anoop Jacob is also set to return to the cabinet.
Among allies, the IUML has already finalised four ministerial positions, while a fifth will be decided after further discussions with the Congress leadership. Main IUML names under consideration include PK Kunhalikutty, KM Shaji, PK Basheer, and N Shamsudheen.
There is also a strong demand from the IUML Kozhikode district for ministerial representation after electing six MLAs. IUML leaders Parakkal Abdulla and district president MA Razak are being considered as ministers from the district.
Congress sources said the UDF had not made any pre-poll promises to CPI(M) rebels, V Kunhikrishnan (Payyannur), TK Govindan (Taliparamba), and G Sudhakaran (Ambalappuzha).
