No fifth ministerial berth for League? Instead Congress offers another vital post

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Congress may not accept the Muslim League's demand for five ministerial berths in the cabinet. They will inform their stand in the bilateral talks being held today. The Congress is also considering to take back the education department held by the League. This demand is strong within the Congress itself. In this situation, another department may be given to the League instead of the education department.

Initial reports said P K Kunhalikutty, K M Shaji, P K Basheer and N Shamsudheen will become ministers. Apart from them, the names of Parakkal Abdullah, Razak Master, AKM Ashraf, and V E Abdul Ghafoor were heard as the fifth. However, the proposal made by the Congress to the Muslim League was to give four ministerial posts and the chairmanship of the Administrative Reforms Commission instead of the fifth ministerial berth. The Congress hopes that there will be a compromise on this issue from the constituent parties.

With the oath-taking scheduled for Monday, a final decision on the ministers will be taken today. Other parties have also intensified pressure for key portfolios that they deserve. Senior Congress leaders are directly leading the discussions today to avoid major disputes within the front over the division of portfolios.