The Congress and allies have finally clinched a 20-member Cabinet, adopting the portfolio-sharing formula of the previous United Democratic Front ministries, with a few exceptions.
Besides the chief minister, the Congress will have nine Cabinet berths, the Indian Union Muslim League four, Kerala Congress (M) two, the Socialist Janata Democratic one, and Kerala Congress (Jacob), Kerala Congress (Pillai) and Kerala RSP (B) one each.
The portfolios are as follows: Mr K.M. Mani gets finance, law and housing, Mr P.J, Joseph water resources, the Indian Union Muslim League industry, PWD, education, local self-government and social welfare, Mr K.P. Mohanan (SJD) agriculture and animal husbandry, Mr T.M. Jacob (KC-Jacob) food and civil supplies and ports, Mr K.B. Ganesh Kumar (KC-Pillai) tourism and Mr Shibu Baby John (RSP-B) labour and employment.
The Congress has given up food and tourism. Ports held by Communist Marxist Party (CMP) has been given to KC (Jacob), while the latter gave up water resources to KC(M). Agriculture, held by JSS, has gone to KC(M).
Both JSS and CMP are not in the Cabinet because neither has a member in the new House.
The swearing-in will be held at Raj Bhavan Wednesday 2 pm.
The governor, Mr R.S. Gavai, will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Mr Oommen Chandy, Mr Mani, Mr P.K. Kunhalikutty, Mr Mohanan, Mr Jacob, Mr Ganesh Kumar and Mr Shibu Baby John.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) state secretariat decided to send party leaders to attend the swearing-in, holding out the olive branch to the new ministry.
The remaining Congress nominees will be sworn in on May 23 after the Congress high command clears their names.
Mr Oommen Chandy and the state Congress president, Mr Ramesh Chennithala, are leaving for Delhi with the list of probables.