IUML to get five Cabinet posts in UDF government in Kerala

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) will get five ministerial berths in the United Democratic Front (UDF) Cabinet in Kerala.

Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal, IUML State president, identified the Ministers-designate as P.K. Kunhalikutty, P.K. Basheer, V.E. Abdul Gafoor, K.M. Shaji, and N. Shamsudheen.

He said the UDF will induct IUML leader Parakkal Abdulla, who hails from Kozhikode, into the Cabinet after the government completes two-and-a-half years in office. However, Mr. Thangal demurred when asked which Minister would step down in favour of Mr. Abdulla. “It is a decision which the party will take in the future,” he added.

Mr. Kunhalikutty said Chief Minister-designate V.D. Satheesan will decide the portfolios for the IUML Ministers. “The IUML has given its recommendations and suggestions to the Chief Minister-designate. However, we have made no claim to any portfolio, as such decisions are the sole prerogative of the Chief Minister. Mr. Satheesan will communicate his decision to Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlerkar for gubernatorial consent before the government publishes the list of Ministers and their respective portfolios in the public gazette,” he said.