(correcting figure in line three, para one)

Thiruvananthapuram, May 15 (UNI) Veteran Communist leader V S Achuthanandan, who will be sworn in as the next Chief Minister of Kerala on May 18, is likely to head a 19-member Cabinet with the CPI(M), which heads the Left Democratic Front, holding a major chunk of 12 of them and also the post of Assembly Speaker.

According to CPI(M) sources, the CPI, the second largest constituent, would be given four ministerial berths, while the Revolutionary Socialist Party and the Janata Dal (Secular) would get one each.

Another ministerial berth and the post of Deputy Speaker would be shared among the Kerala Congress (J) and Kerala Congress (Secular).

As per indications, the crucial Home portfolio would be headed by CPI(M) State Secretariat member Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. Party's Central Committee member Paloli Mohammedkutty would get Education portfolio.

Former Minister K Radhakrishnan of the CPI(M) would be the new Assembly Speaker.

Though a formal announcement would be made only later, party State Secretariat members M A Baby, T M Thomas Issac, P K Gurudasan, P K Sreemathy and A K Balan were all set to become ministers.

The names of Mr S Sarma, Mr M Vijayakumar, Mr G Sudhakaran and Mr Elamaram Karim were also understood to have been cleared by the State Committee to join the Achuthanandan Cabinet.

As per the initial understanding, the Chief Minister would have the portfolio of Planning and Development, while Mr Issac would get the Finance. Mr M A Baby was likely to get Public Works Department.

Meanwhile, the CPI reportedly finalised its nominees for the Cabinet posts and the list is expected to be announced after the LDF meeting on May 17.

The RSP, another LDF constituent, has already announced the name of Mr N K Premachandran to be its representative in the Cabinet.

The Kerala Congress (Joseph) has elected Mr P J Joseph as its legislature party leader and he is also likely to find a place in the Cabinet. The Janata Dal (S) is yet to decide its nominees for berths in the Cabinet.

UNI CR ROY JN VC2025