IUML seeks central berth
The surprise move of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) to press the demand for one more minister in the Kerala Cabinet is seen as a pressure tactic to get a central Cabinet berth for E Ahamed, national president of the party and minister of state for external affairs.
At a United Democratic Front (UDF) meeting on Wednesday, the IUML leadership rejected the post of chief whip and insisted on one more ministerial berth. This surprised the Congress leadership as chief minister Oommen Chandy himself visited IUML supremo Hyderali Shihab Thangal at Kudappanakkunnu in Malappuram district, to pacify him.
Though the party is demanding ministership for all five members, sources said IUML wanted a central berth for Ahamed in the next Cabinet reshuffle, likely in July.
The party has two MPs, E Ahamed and ET Mohamed Basheer. Ahamed was minister of state for external affairs in UPA - I and shifted to Railways in UPA - II. He was unhappy with the portfolio and later appointed as minister of state for external affairs.
The IUML, which won 20 of the 24 seats in the Assembly elections, has demanded five posts in the state Cabinet. Kerala Congress (M), the third largest constituent of the UDF, asked for three.
The Congress, however, does not want to exceed the council of ministers beyond 20. If IUML gets five and KCM three, the number of ministers from the minority communities will be 13, including representatives from other parties.
With the Congress high command rejecting the demand, Thangal announced the names of five ministers, PK Kunjalikkutty, PK Abdurabb, MK Muneer. VK Ibrahimkunju and Manjalamkuzhi Ali. All except Manjalamkuzhi Ali have been sworn in. The IUML wants Ali as minister of parliamentary affairs to which the Congress is not agreeing.
KCM’s stand
Meanwhile, the KCM has adopted a strategic stand. It would ask also for one more berth if IUML gets five. The Congress had offered the post of chief whip, also a cabinet rank, to IUML and the post of deputy speaker to KCM.
Sources close to the development said the IUML was likely to settle the issue and accept only four posts if Ahamed gets an independent portfolio in UPA II. So, they do not mind the chief whip post going to the KCM and deputy speaker to the Congress.
If the post of chief whip is allotted, the possibility of creating the post of Parliamentary Affairs minister is meagre. A reshuffling of portfoilos to include Manjalamkuzhi Ali may also be impossible.
Meanwhile, the KCM has announced PC George, party vice chairman, for the post of chief whip while senior Congress leader N Shakthan is likely to be deputy Speaker.