V D Satheeshan has been sworn in as the Chief Minister of Kerala after the UDF secured a massive victory with 102 seats in the assembly elections. However, the internal disputes within the UDF and Congress party are far from over, continuing even after the swearing-in ceremony.

The leadership battle that preceded Satheeshan’s elevation saw intense competition between three contenders — V D Satheeshan, K C Venugopal, and Ramesh Chennithala. While the Congress high command initially favored K C Venugopal, strong lobbying by the Muslim League in support of Satheeshan changed the dynamics. Venugopal stood firm on his claim citing MLA support, while Chennithala asserted his seniority and experience as a former home minister.

Even after the cabinet was formed, portfolio allocation has become a major point of contention. Higher Education, Fisheries, and Ports departments are at the center of the dispute. The Muslim League is demanding the Fisheries department after losing Higher Education, while the Latin Catholic Church has also staked a claim on Fisheries. K C Venugopal’s faction is pushing for the Ports department.

In an unprecedented situation, hours after the cabinet was sworn in, the allocation of portfolios has still not been officially gazetted. Congress leader K Muralidharan confirmed the existence of these disputes to the media.

Beyond portfolios, the disputes have extended to more trivial matters. Ministers are reportedly squabbling over official residences in Thiruvananthapuram, with multiple ministers laying claim to the same well-appointed bungalows. Even vehicle registration numbers have become a source of conflict — no minister is willing to accept the number 13, while multiple ministers are staking claim to numbers like 15.

The first cabinet meeting failed to produce any major populist announcements that could energize Congress workers, with only a modest increase in ASHA worker honorariums being deemed somewhat popular. Critics point out that the Chief Minister has been so consumed with resolving internal disputes that there has been little time for actual governance planning.

Former Congress leaders and party workers have been issuing warnings that these disputes, including those over residences and vehicles, are damaging the image of the newly formed government.