LDF to have lean cabinet with only 19 ministers

CPI(M)-led LDF, which was elected to power in the May 16 assembly polls in Kerala, today decided to have a leaner cabinet with only 19 ministers.
The Pinarayi Vijayan-led new ministry, which will be sworn in on May 25, will have only 19 ministers, LDF convener Vaikom Viswan told reporters here after the LDF state committee meeting here this evening.
Of the 19 ministers, CPI(M) will have 12, CPI four, Janata Dal(S), NCP and Cong(S) one each, Viswan said.
Other minor parties, which support LDF from outside, including Kerala Congress(B) and RSP(L), which have won one seat each, will not get a berth.

While the Speaker's post will go to CPI(M), Deputy Speaker's post will be held by CPI.
The previous Congress-led UDF government had 21 ministers.

LDF has also decided to do away with the post of chief whip.
The new ministry will be sworn in at 4 PM at the Central Stadium here. The Cabinet would meet immediately after the swearing-in which would decide when to convene the assembly session, he said.
Veteran Marxist leader, V S Achuthanandan, also attended the meeting.
On reports that Achuthanandan would be given a cabinet rank, he said such an issue did not come up for discussion. Today's meeting was held under the leadership of Achuthanandan, he added.

Meanwhile, CPI(M), the lead partner in the LDF, is understood to have finalised its list of ministers at the CPI(M) state committee which met today.
NCP General Secretary Praful Patel today met CPI(M) leaders at the AKG Bhavan.
NCP has two MLAs--Thomas Chandy and A K Saseendran.
Later talking to reporters, Patel said the party will take a final decision on its ministerial candidate by tomorrow after discussion with NCP supremo Sharad Pawar.