JOIN USIUML puts Cong in a fix
Though the IUML, which has four ministers in the state Cabinet, raised this demand in May-June this year when the Oommen Chandy-led government came to power, the UDF delayed taking a decision for various reasons.
IUML leaders have recently came in the open stating the UDF has approved their demand, putting the Congress, the biggest coalition partner of the ruling coalition, in a fix.
The IUML expects a Cabinet reshuffle after the Piravom by-election, which was necessitated by the death of Food and Civil Supplies Minister T M Jacob.
IUML general secretary K P A Majeed recently announced that the UDF has decided to make its MLA Manjalamkuzhy Ali a minister.
M K Muneer, IUML leader and Minister for Social Welfare and Panchayat in the present ministry, said his party would decide which portfolio would be given to the new minister.
However, responses of the Congress leaders on the issue have been subdued and guarded. UDF convener P P Thankachan has not responded to the remarks of the IUML leaders. Responding to the claim of Muslim League leaders, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala said the issue has not been discussed in the UDF.
It will be discussed and a consensus will be made, Chennithala said. Considering the strength of the IUML in the assembly, the party has the right to demand two more ministerial berths.
Former KPCC president and Congress leader K Muraleedharan said as the leading coalition partner of the UDF, the Congress had been compromising in the past also. He said the issue had not been discussed in the Congress.
However, both leaders did not criticise the IUML leaders for claiming that the UDF has approved their demand when the fact is otherwise. Kerala Congress (M) leader and Finance Minister K M Mani said his party does not have any opposition to granting one more ministerial berth to IUML.