Keral CM swearing-in: Achuthanandan salutes new LDF ministry

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI(M) veteran V S Achuthanandan on Wednesday felicitated Chief Minister-designate Pinarayi Vijayan and his cabinet colleagues and hoped they can build a prosperous Kerala with people's support.

The 92-year old Achuthanandan who was in the race for the top post himself, in his Facebook post said the statement made by Vijayan on the priorities of the government was a good start.

He was referring to Vijayan's comments made on Tuesday, wherein he said his government "will work for the benefit of people cutting across politics, caste, creed and communities."

He started the posting with "Abivadayagal. It is a good start. I welcome the statement of Vijayan on the priorities of the government. I see it as a good start", he said.

"I expect that the Chief Minister designate Vijayan and his cabinet colleagues can build a prosperous Kerala with people's support," he said.

Referring to the recent statement of BJP leaders on the law and order situation in the state, Achuthanandan said the new government has to be watchful.

"Now itself some Central ministers have come out with threatening voices. They will do anything to destabilise the progressive government and so we have to be watchful", he said.

Governor P. Sathasivam will also administer the oath of office and secrecy to 18 ministers in Thiruvananthapuram at 4 p.m. Most of the ministers to be sworn-in this evening are new faces.

While four ministers will be from CPI, three others are from Congress(S), NCP and JD(S).

CPI(M)-led left Democratic Front (LDF) came back to power in Kerala after five years, winning 91 seats in the 140 member Assembly, while UDF won 47 seats.

For the first time in the history of Kerala Assembly, the Bharatiya Janata Party opened its account winning one seat.