Hectic parleys on in UDF

Among these, the Kerala Congress(M) has been adamant on its demand for three ministerial berths and the post of deputy speaker.  However, the Congress leadership is of the view that not more than two berths could be given to the party which has nine MLAs.

Though the Congress leaders held two rounds of talks with the KC(M) leadership, the latter is in no mood to give in. KC(M) supremo K M Mani is reportedly of the view that his party was already beset with many problems caused by the merger of the Kerala Congress (Joseph) in it. A shortfall in ministers would only add to its woes and cause more troubles.

If it gets only two berths, Mani and working chairman  P J Joseph will be ministers and the party is eyeing the finance and revenue portfolios.  Talks with the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) are slated to take place on Tuesday though the party is known to claim five berths. The IUML elected P K Kunhalikutty as its parliamentary party leader at a meeting held at party president Panakkad Syed Hyderali Thangal’s house in Malappuram. The president was also given powers to nominate the new ministers. 

The Socialist Janata (Democratic) led by M P Veerendrakumar, which has two elected members, nominated K P Mohanan as its ministerial representative. Mohanan was  elected from the Koothuparamba constituency in Kannur for the third consecutive time.

Veerendrakumar’s son M V Sreyamskumar is the other party MLA. T M Jacob (KC-Jacob), K B Ganeshkumar (KC-B) and Shibu Baby John (RSP-B) who are the only MLAs of their parties will be ministers.  Jacob is lobbying for the education portfolio while Ganeshkumar wants health and John is eyeing tourism and labour ministries.