Malappuram holds sway as Kozhikode misses out

Kozhikode: The five-member ministerial line-up announced by IUML for the V D Satheesan-led cabinet reflects the complex power equations operating within the party and was marked by last-minute twists, intense negotiations and even for the first time an openly declared term-sharing arrangement.The composition of IUML ministerial team once again underlines the continuing dominance of Malappuram in the IUML's organisational and political structure. IUML, which has 22 MLAs, secured five cabinet berths this time as well. Three of the five ministerial berths have gone to leaders from Malappuram district.The party's representatives include national general secretary and nine-time MLA P K Kunhalikutty (Malappuram), P K Basheer (Ernad), K M Shaji (Vengara), N Shamsudheen (Mannarkkad) and V E Abdul Gafoor (Kalamassery). The last-minute inclusion of Basheer as the third representative from Malappuram followed intense internal deliberations. The move eventually pushed aside Kuttiady MLA-elect Parakkal Abdulla, whose possible induction had raised expectations among party workers in Kozhikode district. Strong backing from the Panakkad Thangal family is learnt to have played a crucial role in helping Abdul Gafoor, son of former minister late V K Ebrahim Kunju, secure a cabinet berth. Basheer's supporters too had raised protests online against the move to exclude him.The exclusion of Kozhikode from the ministerial list triggered disappointment and protests among IUML cadres in the district. The resentment deepened further after it became clear that the Congress too would not have any minister from Kozhikode. Party workers argued that despite delivering a strong electoral performance, the district had failed to secure representation in the cabinet. The apparent regional imbalance seems to have compelled the IUML leadership to publicly announce a rotational arrangement for a cabinet berth. IUML supremo Panakkad Sadikkali Shihab Thangal declared that Abdulla would be inducted into the ministry after two-and-a-half years under a mid-term power-sharing formula. However, the party leadership has so far avoided clarifying which among the five ministers would step down to accommodate Abdulla.The rotational assurance is widely being viewed as an attempt to contain dissatisfaction among cadres in Kozhikode, where protests had already surfaced in places, including Purameri over denying representation to the district. After Malappuram, Kozhikode is the district where IUML has the highest legislative strength, with all six party candidates who contested from the district emerging victorious.In a cabinet that includes representation from almost every district, UDF failed to allocate even a single full-fledged minister to Kozhikode. In contrast, both Pinarayi Vijayan ministries had included two ministers each from the district. Ahammed Devarkovil of the INL had also served as a minister for two-and-a-half years in the second Pinarayi cabinet.IUML is expected to secure several influential portfolios such as industries, IT, public works and local self-govt sectors.