Chief Minister Nominee VD Satheesan was received on his arrival at the Cochin International Airport on Friday. | Photo credit: RK Nithin
With VD Satheesan emerging as the chief ministerial face of the Congress-led United Democratic Front, the party unit in Ernakulam, its bastion, seems set for a political reset.
Mr Satheesan’s elevation to the post of party chief minister after intense internal turmoil has sparked speculation as to who from the district might find a berth in his cabinet.
Notably, the Congress did not have a minister from Ernakulam in the previous Oommen Chandy-led UDF government. VK Ebrahim Kunju of the Indian Muslim League Union and Anoop Jacob of the Kerala Congress (J) were the two ministers from the district then. This time, the Congress can decide on another minister from the district, apart from the chief minister. With the UDF set to discuss the cabinet composition on Saturday, Congress insiders suggest that ministerial likely from the district include Aluva MLA Anvar Sadath, TJ Vinod (Ernakulam), Roji M. John (Angamaly) and Mathew Kuzhalnadan (Muvattupuzha).
While Mr Sadath and Mr Vinod are considered close to senior leader Ramesh Chennithala, Mr John and Mr Kuzhalanadan appear to have the support of All India Congress Committee general secretary KC Venugopal. Congress sources conceded that apart from factional considerations, the communal equation will also be a key factor in deciding the fortunes of likely government officials.
“Though Mr. Sadath has won his fourth consecutive term from Aluva, his chances of a cabinet berth will depend on whether Kalpetta MLA T. Sidhique is elected or not. The Congress is likely to seek only one minister from the Muslim community with the IUML set to have at least four seats,” said a Congress leader and MLA-elect from Ernakulam. In Vinod’s case too, community balance will be a deciding factor, with Kovalam MLA-elect M Vincent and veteran RSP Shibu Baby John the other two ministerial likely also belonging to the Latin Catholic community.
In terms of women’s representation in the cabinet, it could also be Uma Thomas’s turn, who won by a margin from Thrikkakara by significantly increasing her lead over the 2022 poll result.
While the ministerial allocation issues are expected to be resolved within a few days, the real challenge for the party could be managing a potential organizational change once the government formation is complete. “A complete reshuffle is likely, with the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president expected to be a minister in VD Satheesan’s cabinet. In such a scenario, district Congress committee presidents, including Mohammed Shiyas, who was elected MLA from Kochi, will have to be replaced,” said a senior Congress official from Ernakulam. With Mr Satheesan expected to have a clear say in organizational matters in the district, leaders eyeing the key post might be keen to show their loyalty in the coming days.
Published – 15 May 2026 21:54 IST
