Signs of thaw; Chennithala to get home? Pressure for close aides

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Signs of a thaw are emerging within the Congress in Kerala, with indications that Ramesh Chennithala may become the home minister in the cabinet led by Chief Minister-designate V D Satheesan. The development comes after Satheesan held discussions with Chennithala. Satheesan himself is likely to handle the finance portfolio.

Chennithala has also reportedly demanded ministerial berths for four MLAs close to him. He budged pressured for I C Balakrishnan, Anwar Sadath, Jyothi Kumar Chamakkala and T J Vinod.

Chennithala had openly expressed dissatisfaction after the party high command considered V D Satheesan for the chief minister’s post. He had also skipped recent legislature party and UDF meetings held over the past few days.

Deepa Dasmunsi, AICC General Secretary in charge of Kerala had earlier approached Chennithala as part of reconciliation efforts. The latest indications about his possible inclusion in the cabinet emerged after further discussions held by Satheesan yesterday and today. The swearing-in ceremony of the new government is scheduled for Monday.