Kerala: Pinarayi and his ministers sworn in, seek Achuthanandan's "blessings"

A 19-member Ministry led by CPM politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan took oath of office in Kerala on Wednesday evening at a glittering function at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.

Left supporters in the whole state beat drums and blew bugles dancing before large television screens set up in public places as Governor P Sathasivam administered the oath office to each minister. The venue of the function overflowed with enthusiastic supporters.

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The septuagenarian CPM leader Pinarayi, who won the elections from Dharamadom constituency in Kannur district, will hold the home and vigilance portfolio in addition to the Chief Minister's. He had served as the electricity minister from 1996 to 1998 in the EK Nayanar Ministry.

The others in the Council of Ministers are:

EP Jayarajan, CPM Central Committee member, who was elected from Mattannur constituency in Kannur district. He began his political career as a student activist and has headed the managerial functions of the party newspaper Deshabhimani. He gets the industries portfolio, besides sports and youth welfare.

Dr Thomas Isaac, CPM Central Committee member, who was elected from Alappuzha constituency. An academician and economist of distinction, he had served as the Finance Minister in the 2006-2011 VS Achuthanandan Ministry. He gets the finance portfolio once again.

AK Balan, CPM leader who won from Tarur constituency in Palakkad district. He had served as the Electricity Minister in the Achuthanandan Ministry from 2006-2011. He will be minister for culture and welfare of Backward Classes.

G. Sudhakaran, CPM leader who won from Ambalappuzha constituency in Alappuzha district. He had served as the minister for cooperatives in the 2006-11 LDF Ministry. He will be handling the public works portfolio and registration.

KK Shylaja, CPM MLA from Kuthuparamba in Kannur district. She was a teacher before entering full-time politics. She will be looking after the health portfolio, besides social welfare.

C. Ravindranath, CPM MLA from Puducaud in Thrissur district. He was a teacher and active member of the Kerala Sastra Sahithya Parishad before becoming a full-time party man. He will handle the education portfolio.

J. Mercykutty Amma, CPM MLA from Kundara constituency in Kollam district. She will handle the fisheries portfolio and traditional industries.

Kadakampally Surendran, CPM district secretary in Thiruvananthapuram, who won from Kazhakkoottam constituency in Thiruvananthapuram district. He will be the electricity minister, besides handling the Devaswom portfolio.

T.P. Ramakrishnan, former CPM Kozhikode district secretary, who won the elections from Perambra constituency in Kozhikode district. He gets excise and labour welfare.

AC Moideen, former CPM district secretary in Thrissur, who won from the Kunnamkulam constituency in Thrissur district. He will be the minister for cooperatives and tourism.

K.T. Jaleel , CPM-backed independent candidate who won the elections from Thavanur constituency in Malappuram district. He gets the local self government portfolio.

E. Chandrasekharan, CPI MLA, elected from Kanhangad constituency in Kasargod district. He will be the minister for revenue.

V.S. Sunil Kumar, CPI MLA elected from Thrissur constituency in Thrissur district. He will be the Minister for agriculture and animal husbandry.

P. Thilothaman, CPI MLA from Cherthala in Alappuzha district. He will be the minister for food and Civil Supplies.

K. Raju, CPI MLA from Punalur in Kollam district. He will be the minister for forests and environment.

Mathew T. Thomas, state president of Janata Dal (S), elected from Thiruvalla constituency in Pathanamthitta district. He was transport minister in the Achuthanandan Ministry. He will be the Minister for Irrigation.

A.K. Saseendran, Nationalist Congress Party leader, who won from Elathur in Kozhikode district. He gets the transport portfolio.

Ramachandran Kadannappalli, Congress (S) leader, who was elected from Kannur constituency in Kannur district. He had served as the Devaswom Minister in the previous LDF government. He gets the ports portfolio.

Earlier in the day, the minister-designates called on CPM veteran Achuthanandan at his residence to get his blessings.

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