Published May 16, 2026 | 9:18 AM ⚊ Updated May 16, 2026 | 9:18 AM
CM-designate VD Satheesan holding talks with Ramesh Chennithala on Friday
Synopsis: The Congress-led UDF is set to assume office on Monday with VD Satheesan at the helm, even as intense negotiations continue over cabinet berths, key portfolios and the role of senior leaders, including Ramesh Chennithala and PK Kunhalikutty. Though the final shape of the government is still being worked out, Sunny Joseph, K Muraleedharan, PC Vishnunadh, T Siddique, PK Kunhalikutty, PK Basheer, KM Shaji, N Shamsudheen, Mons Joseph, Shibu Baby John, Anoop Jacob and CP John are most likely to on the list.
The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is preparing to form the government on Monday, 18 May, with VD Satheesan swearing in as the Chief Minister along with his Council of Ministers at 10 am at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
The broad contours of the new government are beginning to emerge, though negotiations over portfolios and the final allocation of Cabinet berths remain unresolved.
A UDF meeting in the capital on Friday, 15 May, reviewed the power-sharing formula among alliance partners, but several sensitive issues — including the role of senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala and the demands raised by key allies — are yet to be settled.
What was initially projected as a smooth transition after the UDF’s emphatic electoral victory has gradually turned into an intense round of bargaining involving factions within the Congress and coalition partners seeking a larger share in the government.
The leaders said a final picture may emerge after another round of UDF meeting on Saturday, 16 May.
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The Congress, which is expected to retain around 11 or 12 Cabinet positions including the Chief Minister, faces the difficult task of balancing senior leaders, factional interests, regional representation and community equations.
Among those widely considered certain or strongly placed for Cabinet berths are KPCC president Sunny Joseph, senior leaders Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and K Muraleedharan.
Several other names continue to circulate in party discussions, including PC Vishnunath, Bindu Krishna, M Liju, Chandy Oommen, VT Balram, AP Anil Kumar, T Siddique, N Shaktan, Roji M John and Mathew Kuzhalnadan.
There are also indications that the leadership wants the ministry to reflect a generational shift by accommodating younger legislators and women leaders alongside experienced hands.
The biggest uncertainty within the Congress continues to surround Chennithala.
Sources close to him said he has conveyed willingness to join the government, though discussions on a suitable portfolio remain inconclusive.
His absence from Friday’s UDF meeting and decision to avoid the media fuelled speculation over his eventual role in the government.
If Chennithala stays out of the Cabinet, leaders aligned with him are expected to intensify their claim for greater representation.
The Congress leadership is also under pressure to accommodate leaders associated with AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, whose influence in the ministry formation process remains significant despite Satheesan emerging as the Chief Minister.
One among the senior Congress leaders may eventually be moved to the Speaker’s post as part of the balancing exercise.
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The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), whose support proved crucial during the leadership discussions within the UDF, is pressing for five cabinet berths in the 21-member ministry.
Congress leaders are understood to have proposed a formula of one minister for every five MLAs.
Under that arrangement, the League may be offered four ministerial posts along with either the Deputy Speaker’s position or the Chief Whip post.
The IUML, however, is believed to be insisting on retaining the strength and influence it enjoyed in previous UDF governments.
Senior League leader PK Kunhalikutty is almost certain to enter the Cabinet.
Other names under active consideration include PK Basheer, KM Shaji, N Shamsudheen, AKM Ashraf and Parakkal Abdulla.
Internal discussions within the League have also revolved around regional representation, particularly demands for ministerial presence from Palakkad and Kozhikode districts.
Another unresolved issue is whether the IUML will continue to hold the education portfolio, which it controlled in earlier UDF administrations. The party is also understood to be interested in the fisheries department following the restructuring of local self-government responsibilities.
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The Kerala Congress (Joseph) faction has emerged as one of the most assertive allies during the negotiations.
CM-designate V D Satheesan with PJ Joseph on Friday
In a politically significant development on Friday, Satheesan met veteran Kerala Congress leader PJ Joseph at the MLA Hostel in Thiruvananthapuram ahead of the UDF meeting.
The interaction triggered fresh speculation over efforts to resolve the party’s demand for two Cabinet berths.
The party, which has seven MLAs, argues that it sacrificed two seats during alliance-level seat adjustments before the election and therefore deserves stronger representation in government.
Leaders within the faction have also pointed to the precedent set during earlier UDF governments, when Kerala Congress had secured two ministerial positions along with the Chief Whip post.
Congress leaders are believed to have suggested a compromise formula involving one Cabinet berth and the Chief Whip’s post. It remains unclear whether the Joseph faction will settle for that arrangement.
Mons Joseph is widely seen as the frontrunner for a Cabinet berth. If the party secures a second ministerial position, the names of Thomas Unniyadan and Apu John Joseph are also being discussed.
The party is understood to be keen on portfolios such as Public Works and Agriculture.
Other UDF allies are also lobbying for influential portfolios rather than symbolic representation.
The Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) is expected to nominate Shibu Baby John to the ministry.
The party has reportedly shown interest in the tourism and irrigation portfolios.
Labour, which the RSP handled during the Oommen Chandy government, is no longer viewed as politically attractive within the party.
The Communist Marxist Party (CMP) is likely to push for the cooperation and ports departments, once handled by veteran leader MV Raghavan.
CP John will represent the party in the government.
From Kerala Congress (Jacob), Anoop Jacob will be included. The party has so far avoided publicly staking claim to a specific department.
There are also discussions on whether other members of the front, including KK Rama and Mani C Kappan, should be accommodated later through a rotational arrangement, though they are not expected to find a place in the initial ministry.
The Forward Bloc, which was denied the Chathannur seat, is reportedly seeking a Cabinet-rank position outside the ministry structure, possibly through appointments such as the Administrative Reforms Commission or Kerala’s Special Representative in Delhi.
The ongoing discussions have also revived comparisons with the 2011 Oommen Chandy ministry, where coalition partners controlled several influential departments.
During that government, the IUML handled portfolios including Industries, IT, Trade and Commerce, Mining and Geology, Wakf and Haj Affairs, Education, Panchayats, Urban Development and Minority Welfare.
The RSP held Labour and Employment, while Kerala Congress (Joseph) controlled Water Resources, Irrigation and Inland Navigation.
Kerala Congress (Jacob) was entrusted with Food, Civil Supplies and Registration.
Key portfolios such as Finance, Law and Housing were with Kerala Congress (M), then a major UDF ally. Kerala Congress (M) is now with the LDF.
Those precedents continue to shape expectations within the coalition as allies attempt to negotiate their space in the incoming Satheesan government.
Even as Monday’s swearing-in ceremony draws closer, the final structure of the Cabinet remains fluid.
For Satheesan, the challenge extends beyond simply allocating portfolios.
The composition of the Cabinet will determine how effectively the Congress can manage factional tensions, reward allies, maintain caste and regional balance, and project an image of renewal after returning to power after 10 years.
The UDF leadership is expected to continue consultations through Saturday before arriving at a final formula for the government and portfolio distribution.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
