Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government is likely to introduce significant changes in portfolio allocation, with indications that the Higher Education department may be taken over by the Congress from the Muslim League as part of the final power-sharing arrangement.

Sources said the Education portfolio could be split, with Higher Education likely to be assigned to Congress MLA Roji M John, while the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) may be compensated with another key department. The IUML is understood to have sought the Fisheries portfolio during the negotiations.

Although the final allocation of departments has not yet been officially announced, discussions among coalition partners are in the final stages, and the notification is expected to be issued on Monday.

As per the likely portfolio distribution, Satheesan is expected to retain key departments including General Administration, Finance, Ports and Law.

Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala is likely to handle the Home and Vigilance portfolios, while K Muraleedharan may get Electricity and Devaswom.

KPCC president Sunny Joseph is expected to be given Revenue, while AP Anil Kumar may take charge of Health.

PC Vishnunath is likely to handle Tourism and Culture, while M Liju may be assigned Excise and Cooperation.

Bindu Krishna is expected to oversee Women and Social Welfare, and T Siddique may get Forest.

Roji M John is tipped for Higher Education, while KA Thulasi may handle Backward Welfare. O J Janeesh is likely to get Youth Welfare and Sports.

Among IUML nominees, PK Kunhalikutty is expected to head Industries and IT, PK Basheer may get Public Works, N Samsudheen could handle General Education and KM Shaji is likely to be given Local Self-Government.

The portfolio for VE Abdul Gafoor is yet to be finalised.

Among Kerala Congress and allied party nominees, Mons Joseph may get Water Resources, Shibu Baby John Labour, CP John Transport and Anoop Jacob Food and Civil Supplies.

The swearing-in ceremony of the new UDF government will be held at 10 am on Monday at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, where VD Satheesan and the full 20-member Cabinet will take oath together.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are expected to attend the ceremony. Heavy security arrangements have been put in place across the state capital ahead of the event.