UDF finalises Kerala cabinet; submits list to Governor
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Thiruvananthapuram: After two days of intense discussions and deliberations, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) on Sunday finalised its cabinet list, with Chief Minister-designate V D Satheesan meeting Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to submit the names of ministers.
Earlier in the day, Satheesan had confirmed that the new cabinet, comprising 20 ministers along with the Chief Minister, would be sworn in on Monday.
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) had on May 14 announced Satheesan as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) and the next Chief Minister of Kerala, bringing an end to days of uncertainty and internal discussions over the party’s leadership choice.
Although the UDF secured a more-than-two-thirds majority in the Kerala Assembly elections, the Congress faced delays in selecting its Chief Ministerial candidate due to lobbying by different factions and protests from party workers at the grassroots level.
Cabinet formation talks began on Friday and continued through several rounds of meetings involving senior Congress leaders and alliance partners before the final list was approved on Sunday evening.
At around 5 pm, Satheesan left Cantonment House with the cabinet list to meet the Governor at Lok Bhavan.
He arrived at the Raj Bhavan around 5.15 pm and held discussions with Governor Arlekar.
The names of the ministers are expected to be officially announced after Satheesan returns from the meeting.
The swearing-in ceremony of the new Kerala government will be held at 10 am on May 18 at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
With PTI inputs