NEW DELHI: Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar on Wednesday approved the portfolio allocation recommended by Chief Minister VD Satheesan, as announced by the Raj Bhavan. This development comes two days after the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government was sworn into office.
UDF Returns to Power After a Decade
The UDF returned to power in Kerala after a ten-year hiatus, defeating the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the assembly elections held on April 9. The alliance secured 102 seats in the 140-member assembly, with the Congress party alone winning 63 seats.
Chief Minister's Portfolio
Chief Minister VD Satheesan, who previously served as the Leader of the Opposition, will oversee 35 departments, including finance, law, general administration, and ports. This extensive portfolio reflects his central role in the new government.
Key Portfolios for Senior Leaders
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, who was a contender for the chief minister's post before Satheesan was chosen, has been given the crucial home portfolio. In addition, Chennithala will handle vigilance along with three other departments.
PK Kunhalikutty, a senior leader of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key ally of the Congress, has been assigned important portfolios including industries and commerce, information technology, artificial intelligence, startups, mining and geology, and handlooms and textiles. The IUML, with 22 seats, emerged as the second-largest constituent of the UDF.
Other Ministerial Assignments
Sunny Joseph, chief of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), has been assigned the Electricity, Environment, and Parliamentary Affairs portfolios. Senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan will oversee seven departments, including Health, Devaswoms, Food Safety, and Medical Education.
Among other ministers, Roji M John will handle Higher Education, AP Anil Kumar has been given Land and Revenue, and N Shamsudheen will serve as the General Education Minister, according to the official statement.
Shibu Baby John of the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) has been allocated Forests and Wildlife Protection as well as Skill Development. Mons Joseph will head the Irrigation, Ground Water, Water Supply and Sanitation, and Housing departments.
(With PTI inputs)
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