Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy (file pic)
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today formally announced the induction of KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala into the Cabinet on January 1, 2014.
"The announcement of the portfolio will be made only after the Chennithala takes oath," Mr Chandy said.
Mr Chandy said that Congress president Sonia Gandhi's approval for Chennithala's induction was received on December 27 and that the steps were being taken as per the directives of the party leadership.
"While the decision of inducting Chennithala has been made by the party, the decision of the portfolio being offered is the prerogative of the Chief Minister," Mr Chandy told the media.
However, sources within KPCC office have told NDTV that Mr Chennithala has been offered the Home Minister's portfolio.
The decision of the party high command was conveyed to the Chief Minister and KPCC President by Union Defence Minister AK Antony during his visit to Thiruvananthapuram. While the Chief Minister never opposed Mr Chennithala's induction to Cabinet in the past, the Chief Minister was reportedly unwilling to offer him the Home Minister's portfolio, which currently is being held by Thiruvanchur Radhakrishnan, a Chandy loyalist from Congress A camp.
Sources say Mr Chennithala, who belongs to Congress I group, though dropped the demand of being named the Deputy Chief Minister earlier, was not willing to compromise on his demand for the Home Minister's portfolio.
The cabinet reshuffle is being seen as strategic move for UDF to be able to counter its infighting within various factions. While Mr Chandy has denied reports of infighting, he said,"This is a move for UDF to stand united ahead of the Lok Sabha polls"
Earlier today, Thiruvanchur Radhakrishan addressed the media on his performance in the past year as Home Minister and said," I will follow the party directives. I haven't received any directives till now but I am a party man and will follow the party decision."
However, when Chief Minister Chandy was asked about any minister being left out of the current Cabinet due to induction of Mr Chennithala, he said, "No current minister will be left out of the Cabinet."