Rumours are rife about the possible ministerial nominees from six districts in north Kerala in the United Democratic Front (UDF) Cabinet, which is likely to assume charge in a week or so.

Chances of a reasonable representation for the region in the government are high this time because 45 of the 102 MLA-designates are from Kasaragod, Wayanad, Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Palakkad districts. The Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) managed to elect 21 candidates each from here. Two Independents supported by the front, V. Kunhikrishnan and T.K. Govindan, won from Payyannur and Taliparamba, respectively, and K.K. Rema of the Revolutionary Marxist Party, an associate of the UDF, emerged victorious in Vadakara as well.

In the Congress, Sunny Joseph, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, who defeated veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader K.K. Shailaja in Peravoor, is a contender from Kannur. A.P. Anil Kumar, a former Minister, who has been consecutively winning from Wandoor in Malappuram since 2001, is likely to get a berth in the Cabinet. In Kozhikode, District Congress Committee president K. Praveenkumar and KPCC general secretary K. Jayanth, who won from Koyilandy and Kozhikode North, respectively, stand a chance. Sumesh Achuthan and V.T. Balram, MLA-designates from Chittur and Thrithala, respectively, could be considered from Palakkad.

If the UDF chooses to ensure minority representation, T. Siddique, who won from Kalpetta with a majority of over 45,000 votes this time, may be included in the ministry.

The Congress is likely to get at least 11 to 12 ministerial berths, including that of the Chief Minister. Various caste, community and regional equations could come into play while choosing its ministerial nominees.

The IUML, which got its highest electoral tally of 22 seats this time, may get four to five ministerial berths. P.K. Kunhalikutty is a sure bet. Even though there are talks about the party seeking the post of Deputy Chief Minister for him, the top leadership is yet to make such a demand in public. IUML State president Panakkad Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal recently said there had been no such discussions so far. A majority of IUML ministers are likely to be from Kozhikode and Malappuram districts, from where 18 candidates were elected.

Apart from Mr. Kunhalikutty, the other probable names from Malappuram are Manjalamkuzhi Ali, P.K. Basheer, K.M. Shaji, V.M. Ibrahim, and Abid Hussain Thangal. From Kozhikode, Parakkal Abdulla is a strong contender. N. Samsudheen (Mannarkkad in Palakkad) and A.K.M. Ashraf (Manjeswaram in Kasaragod) could also be considered.