Partners’ late demands delay minister portfolio allocation in UDF cabinet

Thiruvananthapuram: Though the full cabinet led by V D Satheesan was sworn in on Monday, the final notification allocating portfolios and business among ministers is yet to be issued officially.It is reliably learned that notification has been delayed as certain last-minute demands and internal negotiations within the coalition are still being resolved. In the new UDF govt, portfolios of several senior ministers, including that of chief minister, have largely been finalised, while clarity is still awaited in the case of a few others. Sources indicated that Satheesan is set to retain key departments, including general administration, finance, ports, law and information and public relations. Senior Congress functionary Ramesh Chennithala is learned to have been allocated the crucial home and vigilance departments. T Siddique is likely to handle agriculture while O J Janeesh is expected to get sports and youth affairs.Though there was speculation that A P Anil Kumar would be given health portfolio, sources now indicate that the department is likely to go to K Muraleedharan. Kumar is instead learned to be heading power department.P C Vishnunadh is likely to become minister for cultural affairs, cinema and cooperation. KPCC president Sunny Joseph is expected to be given revenue department while Roji M John is likely to handle higher education.K A Thulasi is expected to be assigned SC/ST welfare while Bindu Krishna is likely to get women and child development along with social justice. M Liju is likely to handle excise department.Portfolio allocation of ministers from coalition partners has also yet to be formally announced in full. IUML leader P K Kunhalikutty is learned to have been allocated industries and IT while K M Shaji is likely to get local self-govt department. N Shamsudheen is expected to handle general education.Anoop Jacob is expected to handle food and civil supplies. Sources further indicated that C P John is likely to become transport minister while Kerala Congress leader Mons Joseph is expected to be given water resources.