THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the counting day draws to a close, both fronts are becoming more and more anxious about the election results. There is not much difference between the LDF and the UDF in this regard.

The BJP is mainly worried about the election result in Nemom, its only sitting seat in Kerala. The party is eager to find out whether it will win in Nemom and whether it will win more seats. If the LDF loses, candidate selection and other aspects will be subject to internal party criticism in both CPM and CPI. Otherwise, the leadership of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will be invincible.

On the other hand, the leadership of opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran will be questioned if the UDF does not regain power. Otherwise, Chennithala will be hailed as the hero for defeating the LDF government by raising various allegations of corruption.

Ministers in LDF

The Pinarayi cabinet will include newcomers if it continues to rule. KK Shailaja, TP Ramakrishnan, MM Mani might get a second term as ministers. Maybe KT Jaleel and AC Moideen will find a place in the cabinet. Former Minister and former Speaker K Radhakrishnan will join the cabinet. Central Committee member EP Jayarajan will be replaced by Central Committee member MV Govindan. If P Nandakumar wins from Ponnani, he might join the cabinet as a representative of CITU.

If PV Anwar wins again in Nilambur, he may claim the minister post in the name of Muslim representation from Malappuram. That possibility is only possible if decides not to consider Jaleel. If MB Rajesh wins in Thrithala, he may get a chance. If P Rajeev and KN Balagopal win from Kalamassery and Kottarakkara respectively, they too will also join the cabinet. Representation of women might be limited to one person. The LDF might also consider V Sivankutty and VK Prasanth for the minister post if they win from Nemom and Vattiyoorkavu respectively.

In the CPI, J Chinchurani, PS Supal, P Prasad, Chittayam Gopakumar, EK Vijayan, ET Tyson, and many others are under consideration. Jose K Mani will definitely get a minister post if he wins from Pala. The Kerala Congress may get one more minister post. If Ganesh Kumar wins in Pathanapuram, he may join the cabinet.

If the UDF comes to power, it will witness a huge debate regarding the Chief Minister post. Ramesh Chennithala is preferred as he had worked hard as the Leader of the Opposition to put the government on the defensive. A Group might strongly demand that Oommen Chandy should become the Chief Minister. The Muslim League may ask for the post of Deputy Chief Minister. If K Muraleedharan wins in Nemom, he must be given an important portfolio. Among women, two among Padmaja Venugopal, Bindu Krishna, and Shanimol Usman might find a place in the cabinet. VD Satheesan, Sabrinathan, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, K Sivadasan Nair, and K Babu are also likely to become ministers.