Daijiworld Media Network – Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram, May 20: Differences have reportedly surfaced within the Congress over cabinet portfolio allocation in Kerala, with Chief Minister V D Satheesan said to have rejected suggestions made by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge amid growing discontent within sections of the party.
According to Congress sources, the delay in finalising ministerial portfolios after the UDF’s Assembly election victory has triggered internal discussions over representation of backward communities and Dalits in the new cabinet.
Kharge, who attended the swearing-in ceremony in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, is learnt to have expressed concern over the alleged sidelining of backward caste and Scheduled Caste leaders in the distribution of key ministries. Sources said he directly conveyed his concerns to Satheesan after complaints emerged within the party regarding allocation of portfolios.
Reports suggest Kharge questioned the decision to assign what were described as less significant departments to ministers belonging to backward and Dalit communities. He is also believed to have expressed displeasure over the reported withdrawal of the Health, Devaswom and Cooperation portfolios earlier expected to be allotted to A P Anil Kumar and M Liju.
However, sources indicated that Satheesan maintained a firm stand on the allocations, following which the AICC reportedly chose not to intervene further in the matter.
Meanwhile, the final list of ministers and portfolio allocation is yet to be submitted to the Governor as fresh disagreements reportedly emerged both within the Congress and among alliance partners.
The issue has also drawn reactions from influential Christian organisations. The Latin Catholic Church and sections of the Syro-Malabar Church have reportedly opposed the move to hand over the Fisheries and Higher Education portfolios to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
Church leaders are said to have urged the Congress leadership to retain key departments such as Higher Education, Fisheries and Minority Welfare under Congress control. The developments have added further pressure on the leadership as negotiations continue within the ruling alliance.
The Muslim League, on the other hand, is reportedly insisting on retaining either the Higher Education or Fisheries portfolio, citing an earlier understanding with the Congress.
Discontent has also reportedly surfaced among Congress leaders T Siddique and M Liju over the allocation of portfolios considered less influential. Sources said Siddique was initially considered for the Forest department before it was allotted to RSP leader Shibu Baby John, while Liju is believed to be unhappy with the Excise portfolio.
With alliance discussions continuing behind closed doors, the delay in portfolio allocation has overshadowed the UDF’s electoral victory and exposed emerging tensions within the coalition government.