Kerala Cabinet expansion imminent: EP Jayarajan may come back

Thiruvananthapuram: Once again talk about a cabinet expansion is in the air, with the likelihood of EP Jayarajan being reinducted. Jayarajan had to quit the post barely six months after the formation of ministry on charges of nepotism.

It is understood that a decision will be taken within a week, so that the swearing in can take place before the chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan leaves for US on 19th this month for medical treatment.

Now that Jayarajan has got a clean chit from Vigilance, the deck is cleared for his return. However, the Left Democratic Front's (LDF) earlier positions against mega cabinets is making a minor hurdle, with a cap put on the number of ministers at 19. After Jayarajan's exit, the electricity portfolio was given to MM Mani who became minister after a spell with no minister in that charge. Maintaining the number and Jayaran's comeback will mean Mani's exit too.

When Jayarajan will return and Mani will stay as minister, the number will go up. Also, there has been a demand from CPI which had suggested that if there is an increase in the cabinet size, CPI should also get an additional minister which will increase the strength to 21.

Whether the present cap will continue or not will be known after the CPM position is clear after their top-level meeting on the 10th and the CPI's parleys following that.

In any case, the thinking influencing the front is to strengthen the ministry and the coalition in a build up to the Lok Sabha election.