THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a move to set factional and community equations correct ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala is all set to join the UDF ministry headed by Oommen Chandy.
The high command's proposal in this regard was broached by senior leader A K Antony during his interactions with party leaders here.
Indications from the Congress circles are that Chennithala is expected to get the Home portfolio, replacing incumbent and Chandy protege Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.
The official word from the party spokespersons, however, is that all things will become clearer by this afternoon.
The dramatic New Year eve development brought to an end all uncertainties regarding Chennithala's induction in the ministry, which has been a hot topic of speculation in Congress circles and local media ever since he contested and won the 2011 Assembly polls from his home turf Harippad.
Chennithala is likely to continue as KPCC president for the time being and Radhakrishnan to be retained in the cabinet with another portfolio.
According to Congress sources, there could be a reshuffle of Congress nominees in the ministry and selection of a new KPCC president after the budget session of the state assembly, beginning on January 3, is over.
A thinking has been strong in the Congress in Kerala that induction of 57-year-old Chennithala will help Congress firm up its support base among the majority community in general and that of the Nair community in particular.
Influential Nair outfit NSS had in the past came down heavily on the UDF alleging that the coalition leadership breached its poll-eve promise of giving Chennithala a "key position" in the cabinet, in which nominees from Christian and Muslim communities outnumber those from various Hindu sections.
Ever since the UDF wrested power from the LDF, though with a thin margin, Chandy had said Chennithala could join the cabinet any time.
But Chennithala, identified with "I" group in local Congress parlance, has stood firm that he would not be joining the ministry unless he was given a plum portfolio like Home
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