Thiruvananthapuram: Hours after the swearing-in ceremony of the new United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Keralam, the official notification on the allocation of ministerial portfolios in the V.D. Satheesan cabinet remained pending amid sharp disagreements between the Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) over key departments. The delay comes as intense negotiations continue within the coalition, with the Fisheries Department emerging as the biggest point of contention between the Congress and the League. Sources within the front said the disagreement has prevented the final list from being forwarded to Lok Bhavan for official notification.
Congress concerned over fisheries portfolio
Within the Congress, a section of leaders has strongly opposed handing over the Fisheries Department to the IUML. Senior leaders are worried about the possible political backlash from Keralam’s coastal belt, particularly among fishing communities and sections linked to the Latin Catholic Church. The concern has intensified after the League pressed for the Fisheries portfolio following the Congress decision to retain the Higher Education Department, which the IUML had initially sought. The Congress high-powered committee had earlier agreed to allot Higher Education to youth leader Roji M. John, triggering dissatisfaction within the League camp.
IUML leaders have subsequently increased pressure for the Fisheries Department as a compensatory arrangement. The issue has now escalated into a major flashpoint within the newly formed coalition government.
The controversy has also triggered political debate in sections of Keralam’s coastal region, where concerns are being raised over the growing influence of the IUML in coastal administration and governance. Some groups have cited the sensitive communal history of coastal Kerala, particularly the 2003 Marad Hindu massacre in Kozhikode district, in which eight Hindu fishermen were killed in a planned attack. Investigations and later judicial findings had pointed to the involvement of activists linked to the National Development Front (NDF), regarded as a precursor organisation to the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI).
Concerns are also being expressed by various communities that increased political control over the coastal sector by Muslim League could eventually help islamic radical networks and extremist elements strengthen their influence in strategically sensitive coastal regions, raising broader national security concerns.
Political observers note that these concerns are now resurfacing in public discussions surrounding the Fisheries portfolio, especially in coastal areas with a history of communal tension.
Internal unease within Congress
Apart from the Congress-IUML standoff, differences have also surfaced within the Congress over the distribution of portfolios among its own ministers.
Although it was eventually decided to allot the Agriculture Department to senior Congress leader T. Siddique, reports suggest that he is not keen on taking charge of the portfolio. Supporters of Siddique are understood to be lobbying for a more influential department, adding to the uncertainty within the cabinet formation process.
Chief Minister VD Satheesan has been holding continuous discussions with alliance partners and senior Congress leaders in an attempt to resolve the disputes and arrive at a consensus. However, with no final agreement yet on crucial departments, the official gazette notification continues to remain delayed.
Despite the tensions, UDF leaders expressed confidence that the crisis would be resolved through bilateral talks in the coming hours.
The Congress-led UDF government headed by VD Satheesan was officially sworn into office at Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The 21-member cabinet includes 11 ministers from the Congress and five from the IUML, with the remaining berths distributed among other alliance partners.
The Muslim League on Sunday announced the names of its five ministers, PK Kunhalikutty, N Shamsudeen, K.M. Shaji, PK Basheer and VE Abdul Gafoor.
Under a pre-arranged alliance formula, it was also planned internally that Parakkal Abdulla would be inducted into the cabinet after two-and-a-half years to ensure representation for Kozhikode district.
