Thiruvananthapuram | The Kerala capital witnessed hectic political activity on Saturday as UDF leaders held a series of meetings to finalise ministerial berths and decide nominees for the new ministry headed by CM-designate V D Satheesan, which will assume office on May 18.

Senior leaders of the Congress and its alliance partners remained engaged in back-to-back discussions from the morning at the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters and other venues in the capital city.

The talks focused on the allocation of portfolios, representation for alliance partners, and balancing regional and community interests in the new Cabinet.

Meetings among Congress leaders were held under the leadership of Satheesan, KPCC president Sunny Joseph, and Deepa Dasmunsi, who arrived in the state following directions from the All India Congress Committee to oversee the discussions.

By evening, the negotiations had reportedly entered a more sensitive phase as leaders worked to resolve differences over key portfolios and the final composition of the ministry.

Sources said the Congress leadership was making urgent efforts to release the final list of ministers at the earliest after completing discussions with alliance partners.

Separate meetings were also held by constituent parties of the UDF to decide their representatives in the ministry.

Leaders of various parties consulted senior members and legislators before forwarding their final recommendations to the Congress leadership.

Political observers described the atmosphere in the capital as intense, with senior leaders moving between meetings throughout the day amid mounting speculation over who would secure important Cabinet positions.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, who was denied the CM’s post by the AICC, was reportedly pacified with the offer of the crucial Home portfolio after continuous intervention by AICC leaders, including General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal, and Satheesan.

Though there has been no official confirmation, party sources said the move helped ease tensions within the Congress leadership at a crucial stage of the Cabinet formation process.

Indian Union Muslim League leader P K Kunhalikutty, who actively participated in the negotiations, said the number of ministerial berths to be allocated to the party would be decided only after joint discussions among UDF allies.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Satheesan and KPCC president Sunny Joseph at the Congress state headquarters here, he said, “Only after discussions with all allied parties will the UDF’s final decision be announced. We are not in a position to reveal the details of the discussions held on Saturday.”

There are indications that the IUML is seeking five Cabinet berths, similar to what it had in the 2011–16 Oommen Chandy government.

However, Kunhalikutty declined to comment on the number of ministers likely to be allotted to the party.

Revolutionary Socialist Party leader Shibu Baby John said the party was satisfied with the discussions held with Congress leaders.

The RSP, with three MLAs, is expected to get one ministerial berth in the Cabinet.

“The portfolios have not been decided yet. After discussions with other allies, a decision will be taken later in the night. We have conveyed our views, and the Congress leadership has shared theirs,” he said.

He added that detailed discussions were held on how to run the government effectively.

“We are not rigid about any portfolio. Discussions have taken place, and a final decision will be taken,” he said.

Meanwhile, the P J Joseph-led Kerala Congress is pressing for two ministerial berths.

Joseph told reporters ahead of the meeting that the demand for two ministers would be placed before Congress leaders.

“We expect the talks to conclude soon and a final decision to be announced,” Joseph said.

Earlier in the day, Satheesan met Venugopal and Chennithala separately at their residences here and dismissed reports of differences between them, even as discussions on Cabinet formation continued.

Venugopal, who did not contest the Assembly election, was reportedly backed by several MLAs for the CM's post. Later, both leaders addressed reporters together, stressing unity within the party.

Venugopal said differences of opinion were natural in a political party.

“As a Congressman, it is my responsibility to extend full support to Satheesan while he carries out that mission,” Venugopal said.

Satheesan met Chennithala for the second time in two days as part of efforts to persuade him to join the Cabinet following differences over the CM’s post.

Chennithala had skipped the Congress Legislature Party meeting after the AICC announcement and instead visited the Guruvayur Temple. He has not yet indicated whether he will join the Cabinet.

After meeting Venugopal, he said he has always remained an obedient Congressman amid ongoing discussions over Cabinet formation in Kerala.

The meeting assumes significance as Chennithala had expressed dissatisfaction over not being chosen for the CM's post, which went to Satheesan.

There have also been reports that he is seeking the Home portfolio and Cabinet positions for leaders close to him. “I am always a true Congressman. That is what I want to say now,” Chennithala said.

Venugopal said Chennithala’s concerns would be addressed, adding, “What he desires will be fulfilled.”