The Communist  Party of India has informally staked its claim for five ministerial berths, the Manorama report on Saturday. CPI, the second largest constituent of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), has staked claim in the cabinet that is to be formed on May 25.

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According to the report, an informal meeting LDF chief minister designate Pinarayi Vijayan, CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, his CPI counterpart Kanam Rajendran and senior leader CPI leader Panniyan Raveendran was held in which the matter was discussed.

The CPI has also told CPM leaders that it wanted a change in some portfolios. Manorama reported that in the 2006 VS Achuthanandan government, the CPI had 13 MLAs and four ministers. The CPI’s claim for a fifth minister comes in the wake of winning an extra of five seats in the current elections.

The CPM on its part wants to restrict the number of ministers to 19 like the previous LDF ministry and it is likely to do away with the chief whip post, said the report. 

The Oommen Chandy government had conferred cabinet rank to the Chief Whip’s post to accommodate PC George who was later sent out due to the differences over the bar bribery scam with former finance minister KM Mani.

The LDF leadership would also have to take a call on whether to give ministries to three legislators- Kovvur Kunjumon, Vijayan Pillai and KBGanesh Kumar who fought  under its banner.