Kerala
Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Ramesh Chennithala has been sworn
in as Minister in the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government.
At a brief
ceremony at the Raj Bhavan here on Wednesday, Governor Nikhil Kumar
administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Chennithala. The KPCC
president is all set to take over the reins of the Home Department from
incumbent Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, bringing to an end a long-drawn out
battle in the State unit of the Congress over his claim to a ‘key’ position in
the Oommen Chandy Cabinet.
Mr. Chennithala has found his way into the Cabinet
thanks to intervention by the Congress high command, which issued a virtual
ultimatum to Mr. Chandy to accommodate Mr. Chennithala to bring about greater cohesion in the
party and the alliance ahead of the impending Lok Sabha elections. Mr.
Radhakrishnan is tipped to get Transport and Forest Departments.
Transport
portfolio is currently being held by senior Congress leader Aryadan Mohammed
and Forest portfolio is with the Chief Minister ever since Kerala Congress (B)
nominee K. B. Ganesh Kumar quit the Cabinet a few months ago.
Chief Minister
Oommen Chandy is expected to announce the change in portfolios after the weekly
Cabinet meeting, which is now on at the State secretariat.