Thiruvananthapuram: The entire Cabinet of the new Kerala government is expected to be sworn in on Monday, with the ministerial list likely to be finalised on Saturday, UDF convenor Adoor Prakash said on Friday.

A meeting of United Democratic Front (UDF) allies — Congress, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Kerala Congress (KEM), Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and other partners — was held at Cantonment House in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday evening. It marked the first formal gathering of the alliance after its Assembly election victory, results of which were declared on May 4.

Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala did not attend the meeting.

Cabinet talks and coordination among allies

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

Communist Marxist Party (CMP) leader C P John also said the full Cabinet was likely to be sworn in on Monday, with further discussions scheduled for Saturday.

"It was the first formal meeting after the election victory. During the meeting, the KPCC president conveyed the party's decision, and all endorsed it. It was largely a formality," he said.

He added that discussions on portfolio allocation were still ongoing. When asked whether he would be a minister, John said, "It can happen."

Assembly schedule and ongoing discussions

IUML leader P K Kunhalikutty said CM-designate V D Satheesan had left for Ernakulam, while other UDF leaders were also travelling.

"There will be no decision today. The discussions will continue on Saturday. This was only a formal meeting," he said.

Kunhalikutty added that details of the discussions would be made public on Saturday at the direction of the CM-designate.

The UDF secured 102 of the 140 seats in the Assembly elections. The swearing-in ceremony of CM-designate V D Satheesan and other ministers is scheduled for 10 am on Monday.

Meanwhile, according to the Kerala Assembly schedule, the first session of the 16th Legislative Assembly will be held on May 21. Newly elected members will take oath on that day. The Speaker will be elected on May 22, while the Governor’s policy address is scheduled for May 29.