THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the UDF ministry in Kerala headed by Congress leader Oommen Chandy all set to be expanded with induction of 13 more ministers tomorrow, some problems have cropped up over the number of ministerial berths claimed by the second largest partner IUML.The announcement of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) chief Panakkad Syed Hyderali Thangal that his party would have five ministers though one of them would be included in the cabinet at a later stage did not go well with lead partner Congress.Though Thangal had presented the list as if it had the collective approval of UDF, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala said later that the question of Parliamentary Affairs Minister was something to be taken up when the issue of choosing the Assembly Speaker and Deputy Speaker are decided.The IUML leaders, including its leader in the assembly P K Kunhalikutty, however, threw sufficient hints that the party would not go back on its claim for five ministerial berths.Nine nominees from the Congress, three from the IUML and one from the Kerala Congress (M) would be sworn in tomorrow, taking the total strength of the cabinet including the Chief Minister to 20.Chandy and six ministers, each one representing the UDF constituents, were sworn in on May 18.Former minister Dr M K Muneer and V K Ibraim Kunju and MLA from Tirurangadi P K Abdurabb will join the ministry as IUML nominees tomorrow.Leaders of the UDF's third leading component Kerala Congress (M) also raised eyebrows over the "unilateral" announcement of five ministers by the IUML.While announcing this, IUML leaders said the party's fifth minister would be Manjalamkuzhi Ali who will be joining the cabinet later.A three-time MLA, Ali had quit the LDF a few months ago and joined IUML on whose ticket he won the Perinthalmanna seat in Malappuram this time.
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