VD Satheesan breaks the ice; Ramesh Chennithala may become home minister; KC Venugopal offers support

Thiruvananthapuram: Congress senior leader Ramesh Chennithala is learnt to have decided to join the V D Satheesan led cabinet as home minister.

Chennithala, who was upset over losing the race to the CM post despite his seniority, was being constantly persuaded by Satheesan as well as other Congress leaders including AICC general secretary K C Venugopal.

Venugopal, who also lost the race to the CM post, too extended all support to the Satheesan led government that will swear in on Monday.

Satheesan on Saturday called on Venugopal in Thiruvananthapuram and held talks with him.

Later Satheesan told reporters that issues that could be sorted out in just ten minutes of talks were only there among them. Satheesan also said that in politics opportunities come in different forms. He also added that Venugopal is holding a key position in the AICC and his support is vital for the UDF government in Kerala.

Venugopal also said that AICC leadership would be extending full support to the Satheesan led government in which the people were having high expectations.

Satheesan was learnt to have urged Chennithala to join the cabinet by giving due respects to his seniority and experience. A couple of loyalists of Chennithala may also get cabinet berths.

Chennithala had served as home minister from 2014 to 2016 in the Oommen Chandy led UDF government.

The seat sharing talks and allocation of portfolios were learnt to be in advanced stages.

Satheesan said that all the ministers would be decided by Sunday. The entire cabinet will swear in on Monday.

The first cabinet is likely to take decisions on implementing popular promises of the government like free bus ride for women.