'Not disappointed, I will always remain a Congress worker'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil said that he will always remain a Congress worker despite being expelled from the party. He added that the party’s massive victory is a recognition of the work it carried out as the opposition over the past ten years. Rahul was speaking after arriving to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new UDF cabinet.

“I have always been a party worker, so I have no regrets. If you ask whether I prefer being a public representative or a party office-bearer, I will always choose the latter. I have no disappointments and will continue to speak about politics. That is my clarity. Politics is not about positions,” Rahul said.

After nearly one-and-a-half decades, a UDF-led government took charge in the state today. The Chief Minister and 20 ministers were sworn in. The ceremony began at exactly 10 am.

The government had requested Lok Bhavan to allow VVIPs on the stage, similar to the arrangements made during actor-politician Vijay’s government swearing-in ceremony in Tamil Nadu. Initially, Lok Bhavan had suggested that only the Governor, Chief Minister, and ministers should be seated on the stage.

However, the arrangements were later revised, and Lok Bhavan permitted VVIPs, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, to be seated on the stage along with other dignitaries.

The protocol department had informed the Governor that several invited Chief Ministers from different states, senior Congress leaders, and other distinguished guests would attend the event. Meanwhile, the Central Stadium and surrounding areas are crowded with people who arrived from different parts of the state to witness the swearing-in ceremony.