The newly formed VDS cabinet led by Chief Minister VD Satheesan assumed office on Monday in a grand ceremony. While the swearing-in went smoothly, the allocation of portfolios among the ministers remains unresolved, with the official list yet to be submitted to Governor Arif Mohammad Khan.

The primary dispute revolves around the Fisheries department. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), which gave up the Higher Education portfolio, is demanding Fisheries in return. However, the Latin Catholic Church is strongly opposing this demand, especially since no Latin community member was appointed as a minister in the Congress quota. CM Satheesan visited the Latin Church headquarters on Monday to placate the community, but the church remains firm on its demand that a Christian, preferably from the Latin community, should get the Fisheries portfolio.

T Siddique, the MLA from Wayanad, is reportedly unhappy with the Agriculture portfolio assigned to him and is seeking a different department. Earlier, K Muralidharan had expressed dissatisfaction over being given Electricity along with Health and Devaswom, leading to a reshuffle where Electricity was transferred to KP Anilkumar.

The Kerala Congress (M) led by Jose K Mani has been allotted Water Resources but is also demanding the Registration department. Portfolio allocations for two IUML ministers are also yet to be finalized.

CM Satheesan retains Finance, General Administration, Law, Ports, and I&PRD. Ramesh Chennithala has Home and Vigilance. Other key allocations include PC Vishnunath (Cooperation, Culture, Cinema), M Biju (Excise), Roji M John (Higher Education), Sunny Joseph (Revenue), Bindu Krishna (Women and Child Development, Social Justice, Labour), PK Kunhalikutty (IT and Industries), Anoop Jacob (Food and Civil Supplies), and Monce Joseph (Water Resources).

The government had hoped to finalise the portfolio distribution and issue the gazette notification by Monday night, but disagreements pushed the decision to Tuesday. With the Governor currently in Thrissur, the earliest the notification can be issued is later on Tuesday.