Thiruvananthapuram: The first test for VD Satheesan will be the formation of the Cabinet, followed immediately by the appointment of the KPCC President. A key question that needs to be addressed first is whether senior leader Ramesh Chennithala will join the Cabinet. If he does, he is expected to be allotted the Home Department. If he does not, there is also uncertainty over the role he will be given, while the High Command may consider assigning him major organisational responsibilities.

The preferences of KC Venugopal, who commands the support of a large number of MLAs, will also need to be taken into account in the selection of ministers. There are indications that the KC faction is demanding eight ministerial posts, along with key portfolios. This demand is based on a formula of one minister for every five MLAs, with the claim of eight ministers stemming from the support of more than 40 legislators aligned with Venugopal.

However, Satheesan is unlikely to agree to a Cabinet effectively controlled by the KC faction. There are concerns that such an arrangement could undermine collective responsibility if the Chief Minister does not fully trust the Cabinet. Conventionally, the Chief Minister retains important portfolios such as Home, and he is unlikely to relinquish it. The final decision is expected to be taken with the intervention of the High Command.

As Sunny Joseph is set to join the Cabinet, a new KPCC President will also have to be appointed. Finding a leader capable of uniting the party while fully supporting the Chief Minister will not be an easy task. If Ramesh Chennithala does not join the Cabinet, his preferences will also have to be considered in the distribution of portfolios. Overall, it is expected that Satheesan will not face major difficulty in accommodating these factors.