Cabinet reshuffle after Onam holidays; preference to new faces, district-wise representation will be ensured

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The cabinet reshuffle will take place only after Onam holidays but several names are coming up in replace of M V Govindan, who was Minister of local self-government. M V Govindan has been selected as new CPM state secretary.

If the minister is being chosen from Kannur district, then former Health minister K K Shailaja and party state committe member A N Shamseer may be considered. But Shailaja is unlikely to get a second chance. If a replacement is sought from Kasaragod, then chances are for C H Kunhambu. It is also rumoured that P Nandakumar, a prominent CITU leader from Malappuram might be considered.

Cabinet reshuffle will be discussed in the state secretariat meeting held next Friday. Portfolis might be re-shuffled.

Kasaragod district has no representation in the second cabinet. In the cabinet of first Pinarayi government, E Chandrasekharan of CPI was the minister from Kasargod. CM Pinarayi Vijayan will be the only representative in cabinet from Kannur district when M V Govindan resigns.

There are no CPM ministers from Alappuzha who can replace Saji Cheriyan. There is a possibility of Saji Cheriyan's return but a decision will be taken only after examining the technical issue of the controversial speech case in Tiruvalla. Assembly ruckus case is a headache for Minister Sivankutty. There is a rumor that Sivankutty might possibly be the party district secretary in Thiruvananthapuram and V Joy might be a minister. The leadership rejects all this.

Another rumor is that Speaker M B Rajesh will be considered for the post of Minister and Minister Veena George for the post of Speaker. The leadership has made it clear that there will be no significant changes.

Governor Arif Muhammad Khan, who is not in the capital, will return only on the 6th. The swearing-in ceremony of the minister will take place after the Onam vacation as per the convenience of the Governor.