No decision yet on fifth cabinet berth, says KPCC

Monday, December 12, 2011: KPCC chief Ramesh Chennithala today informed that a final decision on whether to provide a fifth ministerial berth to Indian Union Muslimn League (IUML) has been taken in UDF.
Speaking to the reporters here after praying at Sabarimala on Monday, Chennithala added that UDF allies had the full freedom to express their opinion. The IUML had earlier decided to stick on to their demand for having a ministerial berth for Manjalamkuzhi Ali in the Oommen Chandy cabinet. They decided not to abandon it as it was announced by their chief Panakkad Hyderaili Shihab Thangal.
The additional berth, which if agreed to, will increase the size of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s Council of Ministers to 21. League even announced the name of Manjalamkuzhi Ali for the fifth berth and informed that the portfolio would be finalised after discussions in the UDF.
The IUML’s demand has led to a general feeling that the UDF is heading towards an unwarranted squabble. What makes matters difficult for the Congress is that the Kerala Congress (M) has also put its claim for a additional berth to bring its quota to three.
While IUML wants its berth to mollify Ali, who quit the LDF to join the party, the Kerala Congress (M) leader K.M. Mani wants it for P.C. George.

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