Mix of recent and skilled faces, regional aspirations and big slayers: Here are probables in Pinarayi Vijayan 2.0 cabinet

Balancing regional aspirations, inducting a mixture of skilled and recent faces, placating new allies and rewarding big slayers – the CPM-led Left Democratic Front, which swept to energy in Kerala with a two-thirds majority, has to contemplate many elements to design the brand new cabinet for Pinarayi Vijayan 2.0.
On Tuesday, the CPM state secretariat will meet on the AKG Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, kicking off the method to kind the brand new authorities. It will full its formality of electing Vijayan as the top of the legislature get together and the subsequent authorities. Other events within the coalition just like the CPI, KC(M), JD(S), NCP and people with single MLAs are additionally anticipated to convene their respective state leaderships to appoint candidates for the cabinet. This will probably be adopted by the LDF assembly within the state capital to debate the electoral consequence, study the place it went mistaken and finalise on the cabinet.
In the earlier authorities, the LDF had 19 ministers excluding Vijayan of which 11 belonged to the CPM, 4 from the CPI and one every from the NCP, JD(S), Congress (S) and an Independent. Unlike the Oommen Chandy-led UDF authorities, which had a Home Minister, Vijayan himself dealt with the house ministry alongside different tasks. He had come below extreme hearth from the Opposition for a slew of police excesses and custodial killings. In Vijayan 2.0, the CPM might go for a full-time house minister.
Two leaders who’re assured to have a spot within the new cabinet are outgoing Health Minister KK Shailaja and senior CPM chief and central committee member MV Govindan.
Shailaja, who emerged victorious from the Mattannur constituency in Kannur district with a file margin of over 60,000 votes eclipsing Vijayan’s margin, is predicted to proceed within the well being and little one welfare portfolio, having been lauded for her work within the first time period.
Govindan to be No. 2
Govindan, elected from the get together stronghold of Thaliparambu in the identical district, spent lengthy years within the organisation and has performed a key function in shaping the get together organisation and its core ideological values within the state. Govindan, thought of near the chief minister, is predicted to deliver expertise and maturity into the federal government.
Another title doing the rounds extensively is Ok Radhakrishnan, MLA from Chelakkara and one of many get together’s well-liked leaders in Thrissur district. Radhakrishnan, who represented the seat repeatedly from 1996 until 2016, served as Speaker of the Kerala Assembly between 2006 and 2011 and was a minister for SC/ST and Youth affairs within the authorities headed by EK Nayanar from 1996 until 2001.
Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja
CPM’s second-line chief to the fore
As a part of bringing recent faces into the cabinet and thereby stringing collectively a second-line of management throughout the CPM, the get together is slated to provide alternatives to leaders like P Rajeev, KN Balagopal and MB Rajesh, all of whom have wealthy parliamentary expertise.
In truth, a senior CPM chief advised the Indian Express in the course of the marketing campaign that the prized finance portfolio is more likely to go to both P Rajeev or Balagopal. TM Thomas Isaac, the outgoing finance minister and a vocal member within the state GST council, didn’t contest elections this time as a result of get together’s strict two-term norm for MLAs. Since each Rajeev and Balagopal have had stints within the Rajya Sabha, they’re geared up to deliberate with the Centre on key points and foyer arduous for Kerala’s wants.
In truth, so lively was Rajeev within the Rajya Sabha that late BJP chief and former finance minister Arun Jaitley had even beneficial his return to the Rajya Sabha. Another benefit for him is that he’s an MLA from Kalamassery, an erstwhile Muslim League stronghold, in Ernakulam district. Since the district was not represented within the cabinet final time, Rajeev is predicted to get a leg-up. He can also be the current editor-in-chief of Deshabhimani, the CPM’s mouthpiece within the state.
To stability regional and neighborhood aspirations, the LDF could have to remember illustration from every of the 14 districts in addition to outstanding communities like Nair, Ezhava, Christian and Muslim sections.
While Kadakampally Surendran, the outgoing temple affairs minister, was the consultant from Thiruvananthpuram district, this time, the CPM might reward V Sivankutty, the large killer who wrested BJP’s sole seat Nemom. This manner, the get together goals to hit two birds with one stone.
As for the CPI, it’d go for recent faces this time contemplating just one minister within the outgoing cabinet – E Chandrasekharan from Kanhangad – had contested elections and received. J Chinjurani, a girl MLA from Chadayamangalam, PS Supal from Punalur and P Prasad from Cherthala are amongst these more likely to get the nod for the cabinet.
Jameela set to be first girl Muslim mantri
In addition to Shailaja, Chinjurani may very well be the second girl minister. In recognition of the huge assist amongst ladies, the LDF might even search for a 3rd girl minister. In that case, Kanathil Jameela from Koyilandy and Veena George from Aranmula are favourites. If Jameela is picked, she may very well be Kerala’s first girl Muslim minister.
The LDF may also must accommodate its new allies KC(M) and LJD together with others like JD(S) and NCP. KC(M), headed by Jose Ok Mani, received 5 out of the 12 it contested and will press for 2 cabinet berths. If Jose had received from Pala phase, he would have discovered a spot within the cabinet. Instead, Roshy Augustine from Idukki and N Jayaraj from Kanjirappally are favourites. From JD (S), Mathew T Thomas, thought of near the chief minister, is the favorite.