Portfolio deadlock continues in Kerala Cabinet; Fisheries, Devaswom still undecided

Thiruvananthapuram: Even on the second day after the swearing-in of the Chief Minister and ministers, a final decision on portfolio allocation has not been reached. The delay in issuing the official notification on departments is reportedly due to disagreements over a few key portfolios. It is learnt that the main dispute concerns who should be allotted the Fisheries Department.

The initial understanding was to give the Fisheries portfolio to the League, while Congress would take over Higher Education.

In previous Congress-led governments, General Education and Higher Education functioned together under a single minister, usually from the League. However, during the previous Left governments, the department was split into two. The new government has also decided to continue with General Education and Higher Education as separate portfolios. The understanding was that General Education would go to the League while Congress would handle Higher Education. In return for giving up Higher Education, the League reportedly demanded the Fisheries portfolio.

Meanwhile, representatives of the Latin Catholic community expressed dissatisfaction, saying they had not received adequate consideration when Congress ministers were selected. Although Congress has no minister from the Latin community, Shibu Baby John belongs to that section, and this was taken into account during discussions on ministerial allocation.

However, the Latin community has insisted that the Fisheries portfolio should go to someone with knowledge and experience related to the sector. If that demand is to be met, Fisheries cannot be handed over to the League. In that case, Congress may also have to forgo Higher Education. If Fisheries is allotted to Shibu Baby John, the Forest portfolio already earmarked for him may have to be reassigned.

Meanwhile, there is still no clarity regarding the Devaswom portfolio either. Earlier indications were that K Muraleedharan, who was reportedly unwilling to take the Power portfolio, might be given Health and Devaswom. Later, however, the decision changed and a consensus emerged to allot only the Health portfolio to him. But there is still no decision on who will handle Devaswom.

Attention is also focused on who will head the newly announced Senior Citizens Department, unveiled during the first Cabinet meeting. This is said to be the first time in the country that a government is creating an exclusive department for senior citizens.