THIRUVANATHAPURAM: The IUML sprang a surprise on Sunday by announcing four more ministers instead of three as stated by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Saturday.If the UDF agrees to the Muslim League claim, the latter will have five ministers in all, taking the Cabinet strength to 21.IUML state president Panakkad Syed Hyderali Shihab Thangal announced the names of M K Muneer (Panchayat and Social Welfare), V K Ibrahim Kunju (PWD), P K Abdu Rabb (Education) and the surprise candidate Manjalamkuzhi Ali (Parliamentary Affairs).P K Kunhalikutty was earlier sworn in as minister.He would handle the Industries, IT and Urban Affairs portfolios, Thangal said.Three IUML ministers, except Manjalamkuzhi Ali, will be sworn in along with nine Congress and one Kerala Congress(M) ministers at 4 pm on Monday at the Raj Bhavan.The case of Manjalamkuzhi Ali would be finalised after discussions in the UDF, Thangal said.A significant proposal made by the Muslim League is the bifurcation of the Local Self-Government (LSG) Department into the Panchayat and the Urban Affairs ministries.Kunhalikutty, who was present on the occasion, was cryptic on Oomen Chandy’s statement that the IUML would have three more ministers other than him.“That was the situation till yesterday (Saturday).You cannot say whether tomorrow’s discussions would change all that,” he said.Meanwhile, Muneer has resigned as chairman of Indiavision TV channel.“He has handed over the resignation to me as it will not be proper to be a minister as well as chairman of the TV channel,” Thangal said.
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