Will Kerala get ‘Ministry of Happiness’? UDF weighs landmark move

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the United Democratic Front (UDF) prepares to return to power in Kerala after a decade, significant interest surrounds its manifesto promise to establish a "Ministry of Happiness". Currently, Rajasthan is the only Indian state to feature such a department, following global models established in nations like the UAE and Japan. Observers are now keen to see if the coalition will prioritise this unique governance initiative upon taking office.

Cabinet formula and constraints

The cabinet formation is expected to mirror the structure of previous UDF administrations. The coalition is likely to adopt a formula of one ministerial post for every five MLAs. Under this arrangement, the Congress party—holding 63 seats—would technically be entitled to over 12 ministerial berths.

However, Kerala's ministerial council is constitutionally capped at 21 members, including the Chief Minister. This limit necessitates strategic negotiations and concessions from the Congress party to accommodate its various coalition partners.

Ally demands and portfolio shifts

A majority of the constituent parties, excluding the RMP, have already staked claims for cabinet representation:

• Muslim League has requested five seats.
• Kerala Congress is seeking two.
• Smaller allies, such as the RSP and CMP, also expect designated roles.

Significant shifts in portfolio allocation are also anticipated. The Finance portfolio is likely to transition from the Kerala Congress back to the Congress party. Meanwhile, the Muslim League may consolidate Education and Higher Education into a single unified department, though they are expected to retain control over Industry and Public Works.

Strategic adjustments

Further changes may see the Cultural Affairs portfolio, previously held by Ganesh Kumar, reassigned to a different ally. Discussions are also underway regarding a prominent department for CMP’s C.P. John. Additionally, there are plans to reclaim the Local Self-Government portfolio from the League in exchange for an alternative department.

The incoming administration’s performance will likely be judged on its management of the Finance and Health sectors, which proved challenging for the outgoing LDF government. The UDF specifically intends to introduce a fresh approach to health insurance to improve public welfare and service delivery.