Kerala cabinet department allocation finalised; CM VD Satheesan hands list to Governor

Thiruvananthapuram: Senior Congress leader and newly sworn-in Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan has completed the allocation of portfolios for ministers in the new UDF government, with the final cabinet list officially handed over to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar for approval.

The portfolio discussions, which continued even after the swearing-in ceremony, marked one of the first major political challenges for the Satheesan-led administration.

The delay in announcing the departments was mainly due to negotiations between the Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) over several key portfolios, including Higher Education, Fisheries and Finance. Senior leaders within the alliance held multiple rounds of discussions before finalising the distribution formula.

G Sudhakaran sworn in as Protem Speaker ahead of MLA oath ceremony

Senior leader G. Sudhakaran was sworn in as the Protem Speaker on Wednesday ahead of the first session of the 16th Kerala Legislative Assembly and will administer the oath of office to newly elected MLAs on May 21. Political attention is also focused on the Assembly proceedings as Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan and other members prepare to take oath in the House presided over by Sudhakaran.

Key Congress and IUML leaders in cabinet

Senior Congress leaders inducted into the ministry include Ramesh Chennithala, K. Muraleedharan, A. P. Anil Kumar, Bindu Krishna, Sunny Joseph, P. C. Vishnunath, Roji M. John, T. Siddique, M. Liju, K. A. Thulasi and O. J. Janeesh.

From the IUML, ministers include P. K. Kunhalikutty, P. K. Basheer, N. Shamsudheen, K. M. Shaji and V. E. Abdul Gafoor.

Key portfolios expected

According to sources, Ramesh Chennithala is expected to take charge as Home Minister, while K Muraleedharan is likely to receive the Health portfolio. Chief Minister VD Satheesan is also expected to directly oversee the Finance Department after strongly criticising the previous LDF government’s handling of Kerala’s economy during the election campaign.

The Higher Education portfolio reportedly became one of the biggest sticking points during coalition talks, with both Congress and IUML seeking control of the department. Discussions also included a possible exchange involving the Fisheries portfolio, which drew reactions from sections of Kerala’s coastal community and the Latin Catholic Church.

Government moves on finance and investigations

Alongside the portfolio discussions, the new Kerala government has already initiated several major administrative decisions. The Finance Department is preparing a white paper on the state’s financial condition through a committee headed by former Cabinet Secretary Dr K M Chandrasekhar. Additional Chief Secretary K R Jyothilal will serve as convener of the panel.

The Home Department has also constituted a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to reinvestigate alleged attacks on Congress workers during the 2023 Nava Kerala Sadas outreach programme under the previous LDF government. The SIT will function under Crime Branch officials led by SP Shoukathali and DySP Baiju Poulose.

Senior Citizens Department announced

The Satheesan government has additionally announced the creation of a dedicated Senior Citizens Department, citing Kerala’s rapidly ageing population and the need for better welfare coordination. The government said the initiative would study international elderly care systems, including models followed in Japan.

More official information on the cabinet portfolios is expected through the upcoming gazette notification.