IUML intensifies their demnd for a fifth minister

While the resignation of CPM leader Neeyyattinkara Selvaraj from the assembly and the thumping victory of Anoop Jacob in the Pivarom by elections had given the ruling UDF in Kerala a shot in the arm, Oommen Chandy's government is on shaky grounds once again with the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) intensifying its demand for a fifth minister.

IUML supremo Panakkad Hyderali Shihab Thangal went to the extent of stating that the swearing in of Anoop Jacob as minister can be carried out only along with the swearing in of the 5th IUML minister.

When the office bearers of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) met early this week to discuss the ticklish issue, there was no one to support IUML demand. In fact the Congress leaders were quite adamant that the IUML demand should not be met. Power Minister Aryadan Mohammed, a known League baiter, went on to say that if the demands were met, Chnady would be the last Congress Chief Minister of the state.

However, the Congress leaders and political observers feel that further increase in the number of IUML ministers would alienate the Hindu community from the UDF fold. A look into the list of UDF ministers reveals blatant religious imbalance in the council of ministers. Out of 20 ministers (all enjoy cabinet rank) the number of Hindu ministers is just nine while the rest, including the CM, are either Christians or Muslims. Nair Service Society (NSS) of Hindu Nairs and Sri Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) of Hindu OBC Ezhavas and BJP have come out openly against the IUML demand.

The balance will be further hampered if both Jacob and the fifth IUML minister were both to get berths. Under such circumstances, either one of the could be sworn in. however, his thumping victory makes it very difficult to ignore Jacob.

CM Oommen Chandy and KPCC chief Ramesh Chennithala few to Delhi and appraised the central leadership of the latest developments took place in the state in the light of the IUML demand. They met with Sonia Gandhi, A K Antony and Ahmed Patel. However, even after after coming back from the national capital they still have not revealed what the party high command has prescribed.

There have been many speculations about what the UDF could do. One is, the fifth member could be made the Speaker. However, incumbent speaker and Congress veteran G. Karthikeyan has no interests of going back to ministership. To appease him, he could be made the head of KPCC. In that case present KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala would have to be sworn in as minister with an important portfolio, read, Home and/or Deputy Chief Minister. However that would mean a shift in the power base of the UDF, something that Oommen Chandy would not tolerate.

However, the whole matter is in a state of speculation as no quotes have been available from the leaders. In fact, they have constantly repeated the same line, that it is in the hands of the party high command and will be decided there it self.