Thiruvananthapuram , 20 May (H.S.): Senior leader G Sudhakaran was sworn in as the Pro Tem Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly during a brief ceremony held at Kerala Lok Bhavan on Wednesday, marking another key step in the formation of the newly elected V D Satheesan-led government.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan also met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Wednesday morning and formally submitted the list of ministerial portfolios, ending uncertainty over the allocation of departments following prolonged discussions within the ruling coalition.
Several cabinet ministers, including Ramesh Chennithala, C P John, O J Janeesh, P C Vishnunath, Bindhu Krishna and Roji M John, attended the swearing-in ceremony of Sudhakaran, a former CPM leader who had later emerged as a dissident voice within the Left camp.
Sudhakaran had resigned from the CPM alleging that he was being sidelined by the party leadership and subsequently contested the Ambalappuzha Assembly constituency as an independent candidate with the support of the United Democratic Front (UDF). As Pro Tem Speaker, he will administer the oath of office to all newly elected MLAs, including Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan, when the Assembly convenes on May 21.
The Assembly is scheduled to meet again on May 22 for the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan is expected to be elected Speaker, while Shanimol Osman is likely to assume the post of Deputy Speaker. The Governor's policy address to the Assembly is scheduled for May 29.
Meanwhile, the finalisation of ministerial portfolios witnessed a delay of nearly a day due to differences within the ruling alliance, particularly over the allocation of the Higher Education department between the Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
Sources indicated that the IUML had expressed willingness to exchange the Higher Education portfolio for Fisheries. However, discussions reportedly became complicated after objections emerged from sections of the Latin Catholic Church.
According to sources, major departments likely to be handled by IUML ministers include Education, Public Works, Local Self-Government and Urban Affairs, while senior IUML leader P K Kunhalikutty is expected to oversee the Industries and Information Technology portfolios.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
