All eyes on Congress equations in Satheesan’s home turf ahead of Cabinet formation

With V.D. Satheesan emerging as the Congress-led United Democratic Front’s chief ministerial face, the party unit in Ernakulam, his stronghold, appears to be set for a political reset.

Mr. Satheesan’s elevation as the party’s Chief Minister-designate, after an intense internal turbulence, has triggered speculations over who all from the district could find a berth in his Cabinet.

Notably, the Congress did not have a Minister from Ernakulam in the previous Oommen Chandy-led UDF government. The Indian Union Muslim League’s V.K. Ebrahim Kunju and Anoop Jacob of the Kerala Congress(J) were the two ministers from the district then. This time, the Congress may go for one more Minister from the district, besides the Chief Minister. With the UDF poised to discuss Cabinet formation on Saturday, Congress insiders suggest Aluva MLA Anvar Sadath, T.J. Vinod (Ernakulam), Roji M. John (Angamaly), and Mathew Kuzhalnadan (Muvattupuzha) are among the ministerial probables from the district.

While Mr. Sadath and Mr. Vinod are considered close to senior leader Ramesh Chennithala, Mr. John and Mr. Kuzhalanadan seem to have the backing of All India Congress Committee general secretary K.C. Venugopal. Besides factional considerations, community equations will also be a key factor deciding the fortunes of the Cabinet probables, Congress sources admitted.

“Though Mr. Sadath has won his fourth term from Aluva in a row, his chances for a Cabinet position will depend on if Kalpetta MLA T. Sidhique is chosen or not. Congress is likely to go for only one Minister from the Muslim community with the IUML set to have at least four berths,” a Congress leader and MLA-elect from Ernakulam said. In Vinod’s case also, community balance will be a deciding factor, with Kovalam MLA-elect M. Vincent and RSP veteran Shibu Baby John, other two ministerial probables, also belonging to the Latin Catholic community.

Uma Thomas, who made an emphatic win from Thrikkakara by sizeably increasing her margin from the 2022 bypoll figure, could also come to the picture in terms of women’s representation in the Cabinet.

While the questions over ministerial allocation is expected to be settled in a couple of days, the real trouble for the party could be in managing a possible organisational rejig once the government formation is completed. “A complete reshuffle is likely, with Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president expected to be a Minister in the V.D. Satheesan Cabinet. In such a scenario, District Congress Committee presidents, including Mohammed Shiyas who has been elected MLA from Kochi, will have to be replaced,” a senior Congress leader from Ernakulam said. With Mr. Satheesan expected to have a clear say in organisational matters in the district, leaders eyeing the key post could be keen to express their loyalty in the coming days.