Not only Suresh Gopi, another cabinet minister from Kerala, status for minority community 

NEW DELHI: There are reports that apart from Suresh Gopi, there will be another union minister from Kerala. However, it is not clear who it would be. There are hints that he would be from the minority community. Names of people including Anil Antony, who recently joined the BJP from the Congress, are being heard. Even though he did not win, Anil Antony was able to make a significant impact in the constituency, according to the assessment of the BJP central leadership. The BJP central leadership had asked Anil to pay more attention to the constituency.

The BJP central leadership had summoned NDA candidate from Alappuzha and BJP state vice president Sobha Surendran to Delhi. It is also doubtful whether Shobha will get a cabinet berth. Rajeev Chandrasekhar and V Muraleedharan from Kerala were in the previous Modi cabinet. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier hinted that Kerala will be given more importance in all aspects.

Meantime, Suresh Gopi, the designated MP of Thrissur, who received the official notification of becoming the union minister, has left to Delhi. Modi strictly directed him to reach Delhi soon. With this, it is almost clear that he will take oath as union minister along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi today. 'He decided and I will obey'. While leaving to the airport, he told media that Modi has asked him to reach Delhi at 2.30 pm. He will reach Bengaluru and from there will go to Delhi on a chartered flight.

It was earlier reported that Suresh Gopi will not join the union cabinet. Suresh Gopi was of the stand that he is not in the cabinet for the time being as he has to complete the films committed. However, the central leadership wants him in the cabinet. As he is the first elected MP from Kerala, the BJP central leadership has decided to give him a cabinet post. However, Suresh Gopi had requested to avoid him. It is believed that Suresh Gopi was willing to take up the ministerial berth after Modi called him directly.

The third NDA government led by Narendra Modi will be sworn in today at 7.15 pm in the Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Draupadi Murmu will administer the oath. About 9,000 guests including heads of state, religious leaders, rat miners who conducted rescue operations in Uttarakhand tunnel, railway employees building the Vande Bharat train, beneficiaries of central schemes and 'Vikasit Bharat' ambassadors will attend. As part of the ceremony, three levels of security have been arranged in Delhi.