THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the Congress keeping the option open for the 21st minister in the UDF Government, the IUML has saved its face at least before their rank and file for the time being.However, the Congress is adamant that the 21st minister will not be from the IUML if at all the UDF decides to have an additional minister. It will be kept open for any political outfit which may switch sides from the LDF camp.There are speculations that the post is being kept for the NCP which is at present in the LDF camp and has two members in the Assembly.There will be no rethinking on the decision to deny any more Cabinet berth to the IUML, it is learnt.The Congress leadership has conveyed this to the IUML leadership during the discussions held on Wednesday itself, while accepting the fact that its claim was genuine. But in the present situation, the UDF could not accommodate another minister from the IUML as it would destablise the caste equations.The statement by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy after the discussions on Wednesday night that the 21st minister would be decided after consultations with the party high command, has come as a respite for the IUML leadership as it was under tremendous pressure after its supremo took the liberty to announce its fifth minister in the Cabinet.With the IUML not accepting the chief whip post and the option for the 21st minister still being kept open, the party leadership can pacify the rank file for the time being.
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