Thiruvananthapuram: In a definitive breakthrough for the newly elected United Democratic Front (UDF) alliance, Chief Minister-designate V D Satheesan’s office has confirmed that five Cabinet berths have been officially allocated to its primary partner, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). The decision seals the second-largest constituent's power share ahead of the formal government formation on Monday morning.

While the complete Council of Ministers will be publicly unveiled by Chief Minister-designate V D Satheesan, IUML State president Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal officially announced the party's ministerial lineup on Sunday. The five-member team scheduled to take the oath of office features veteran leader and national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty alongside P K Basheer, N Shamsudheen, K M Shaji and V E Abdul Gafoor.
Kozhikode secures mid-term berth
In a strategic move to address the initial lack of representation for Kozhikode district, Panakkad Thangal also announced that IUML leader Parakkal Abdulla will be inducted into the Cabinet after a term of two and a half years under a rotational formula. However, the party chief did not divulge which of the five newly announced ministers will be stepping down to make way for Abdulla at the mid-term mark.

With the berth count settled, the final rounds of discussions are focused entirely on portfolio distribution. The IUML is poised to take charge of heavyweight governance sectors, pushing to secure vital departments such as Industries, IT, Education, Public Works and Local Self-Government—portfolios the party successfully managed during the Oommen Chandy administration from 2011 to 2016.

Chief Minister-designate Satheesan is scheduled to present the finalised list of the incoming Cabinet to the Governor on Sunday evening, setting the stage for the formal oath-taking ceremony at 10 am on Monday at the Central Stadium.