Allocation of boards and corporations: MK Muneer to get cabinet rank, discussions on Tuesday

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Discussions with United Democratic Front coalition partners regarding the allocation of board and corporation chairmanships may begin on Tuesday. While a consensus was reached on three cabinet-rank positions during leadership-level talks, nothing has been finalised yet; the aim is to complete the discussions this week.

The post of Chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission will be given to M.K. Muneer of the Muslim League. Kerala Congress Chairman P.J. Joseph is set to receive the chairmanship of the Elderly Commission and the Forward Communities Welfare Corporation, while Forward Bloc National General Secretary G. Devarajan will be appointed as the State Government's Special Representative in Delhi. Although it was previously stated that the Congress would appoint a sub-committee for these discussions, the KPCC leadership now believes this is unlikely to happen; instead, the Chief Minister, KPCC President, and UDF Convener are expected to reach an understanding directly with the coalition partners.

It is understood that the Muslim League has also demanded the Minority Commission chairmanship. The Congress is unlikely to accede to this request. Supporters of K.C. Venugopal argue that the Congress, with its 63 members in the Legislative Assembly, deserves proportionate consideration. After the League, which has 22 MLAs, the Kerala Congress—with seven members—is next in line for consideration; they already hold a ministerial post and the Chief Whip position, in addition to the chairmanship of the Forward Community Corporation. The RSP, with three members, will also receive proportionate representation. There are also three MLAs—Mani C. Kappan, K.K. Rema, and Ullas Kovoor—who jumped ship from CPM to UDF camp and hold single seats in the Assembly; the UDF is deliberating on how to accommodate them.