Congress appears locked in last-minute consultations on government formation

Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) leadership appeared locked in hectic last-minute consultations among all party factions and key allies to finalise the contours of the Cabinet ahead of the government’s swearing-in on Monday (May 18, 2026). 

The politics of factions appeared to play spoilsport, at least transiently, with senior leader Ramesh Chennithala, who was reportedly offered the Home portfolio, purportedly insisting that the Chief Minister-designate V.D. Satheesan, also accommodate his loyalists, Anwar Sadat and T J Vinod, in the cabinet. 

According to Mr. Satheesan’s office, the Chief Minister designate was pushing for the inclusion of women, Bindu Krishna and Shanimol Usman, in the Cabinet. He has reportedly expressed his preference for younger legislators, including Chandy Oommen and V.T. Balaram, to join the government.. 

The Congress leadership, including AICC general secretary in charge of Kerala, Deepadas Munsi, was reportedly making haste to prod the faction chiefs into a lasting consensus on cabinet formation before the deadline for submitting the final list of ministers to Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar expires at 2 p.m.

Meanwhile, speculation about prospective ministers and their respective portfolios was generating significant news coverage across social and conventional media. 

According to Mr. Satheesan’s office, the Chief Minister designate was pushing for the inclusion of women, Bindu Krishna and Shanimol Usman, in the Cabinet. He has reportedly expressed his preference for younger legislators, including Chandy Oommen and V.T. Balaram, joining the government. 

According to his office, Mr. Satheesan might hold the finance portfolio. While in the Opposition, Mr Satheesan had assailed the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) administration for “poor financial management, shoddy tax administration and reckless extravagance”.

According to the office, Mr. Satheesan and his 21-member cabinet will take the oath of office on Monday (May 18, 2026). KPCC sources said the Congress would hold 11 portfolios, including the Speaker’s. They said the party was weighing senior leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan for the post. 

Senior leaders, including KPCC president Sunny Joseph and K Muraleedharan, will swear in as ministers along with Mr Satheesan. Mr. Muraleedharan’s office said he had expressed a preference for the health portfolio, but the party would make the final call regarding portfolio allocation.