The Congress-led UDF ministry in Kerala ran into rough weather with Indian Union Muslim League, unilaterally announcing five nominees from the party to the ministry against four berths allotted to it by Congress. Announcing the decision Panakkad Hyder Ali Shihab Thangal, IUML state president informed his party has demanded one more minister berth and Manjalamkuzhi Ali would be a minister, if the UDF accepts the demand. The other ministers are MK Muneer (Social welfare and Panchayat), VK Ibrahim Kunju (PWD), PK Abdu Rabb ( Education). PK Kunhalikutty would handle industries, IT and urban development ministires.
Meanwhile Kerala Congress (M) leader, KM Mani informed that they would stick on to their demand for three ministerial berths in the Oommen Chandy cabinet. Mani was responding to the Muslim League’s list of four Ministers including surprise inclusion of Manjalamkuzhi Ali for the parliamentary affairs.
Speaking to the reporters here on Sunday, Mani added that the decision on the posts of Speaker, deputy speaker and Parliamentary affairs was finalized at the UDF meeting held earlier.
The UDF came to power with a wafer-thin majority by winning 72 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly. IUML has 20 MLAs, while Kerala Congress(M) has nine. Both Kerala Congress(M) and IUML have been demanding the post parliamentary affairs minister. There is strong demand from within Congress as well for the post.
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