Kerala: UDF allies discuss Cabinet berths ahead of swearing-in

With the Congress finally picking VD Satheesan as Chief Minister of Kerala post the UDF’s electoral win, the alliance on Friday initiated discussions on the sharing of Cabinet berths among alliance partners ahead of the May 18 swearing-in, even as senior leader Ramesh Chennithala continued to express displeasure over being denied the CM post.

On his part, Satheesan met Chennithala in an apparent move to pacify the senior leader whom he described as “brother.” The party’s senior leadership also reached out to the sulking Chennithala.

Leaders of UDF allies - the Congress, IUML, Kerala Congress, RSP and other partners — held their first formal post-poll meeting at Cantonment House here after the alliance’s thumping Assembly election victory, while Chennithala stayed away from the meeting chaired by Satheesan.

They said discussions with various UDF leaders would continue on the sharing of Cabinet berths and allocation of portfolios before the respective parties decide on nominees for ministerial berths.

The entire Cabinet of the new Kerala Government will be sworn in on Monday, UDF convenor Adoor Prakash said. “It was only a formal UDF meeting. We will meet again on Saturday and make decisions. Preparations for the swearing-in ceremony on Monday are underway,” he said.

Along with the CM-designate Satheesan, we are looking to provide an opportunity for other UDF leaders to take the oath,” he said.

“Our intention is that the full Cabinet should take the oath on Monday itself. We will disclose details of the full Cabinet on Saturday,” Prakash told reporters.

Meanwhile, Satheesan and the Congress leadership initiated efforts to placate Chennithala, who stayed away from public engagements and remained at his residence through the day after returning by train from a visit to Guruvayur Temple. He was dressed in a T-shirt instead of his customary white khadi shirt and dhoti.

Satheesan and Chennithala were among those in the race for the chief minister’s post, along with AICC general secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal.

Satheesan visited Chennithala at his residence around 12.30 pm.

The Chief Minister-designate was received by Chennithala, and the two leaders held discussions for around 45 minutes, including a brief one-on-one meeting after talks in the presence of Congress leaders Anwar Sadath, Abin Varkey, Jyothi Kumar Chamakkala, VT Balram and Joseph Vazhackan.

“I met Ramesh Chennithala to seek his blessings. He has always been my leader - from my student days, he was my leader, and he continues to be so,” Satheesan told reporters.

“He has blessed me for the new role. His blessings and support will always be with me. This is a meeting of two brothers,” he said, adding that the party would decide whether Chennithala would be part of the Cabinet.

Chennithala said he was happy with Satheesan’s selection as chief minister and welcomed the decision of the Congress high command.

“The task of freeing Kerala from the 10 years of LDF rule has been entrusted to him. We, along with party workers, will work to achieve it,” he said.

Later, Congress general secretary in charge of Kerala Deepa Dasmunsi also visited Chennithala at his residence, a day after he skipped the Congress Legislature Party meeting and left for Guruvayur Temple following the AICC announcement naming Satheesan as chief minister-designate.

He had submitted a letter backing his election as CLP leader.

AICC General Secretary Venugopal, who arrived here in the evening, said any differences among senior Congress leaders over the Chief Minister’s selection, including those involving Chennithala, would be resolved smoothly.

“Everything will be resolved smoothly. Congress leaders in Kerala are disciplined and abide by the party’s decisions. I have spoken to Ramesh Chennithala, and the Chief Minister-designate has also been in touch with him. All issues will be resolved amicably,” he said.

Amid intense political activity ahead of the Government formation, Satheesan outlined an austere administrative approach, announcing that his official convoy would be restricted to the minimum possible vehicles, marking a sharp departure from the large motorcades associated with the previous LDF Government led by Pinarayi Vijayan.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with religious leaders, Satheesan said his intention was not to mock his predecessors, but added that “the treasury would not be able to bear the burden of such extravagance”.

“Those before me may have needed it, I do not,” he said, adding that despite being entitled to Z-plus category security as chief minister, he had asked police to ensure only the minimum possible convoy and not inconvenience the public during his travel.

“So, I have asked the police to provide the minimum possible security convoy. As few vehicles as possible. The very minimum,” he said.

Satheesan also said he would not purchase a new official vehicle and would instead use whichever car was available, irrespective of its colour, saying that buying a new one would send a “wrong message” at a time when the State’s financial position remained weak.

Party sources earlier said Satheesan had directed that only a pilot and escort vehicle should accompany his official car and that traffic should not be blocked during his movement, in a significant break from the VIP culture and convoys of more than 10 vehicles seen during Vijayan’s tenure.

Earlier in the day, Satheesan met his predecessor Vijayan at the latter’s residence, where Vijayan and his family received him on arrival before the two leaders held discussions and later jointly met reporters.