Rumours of Kerala cabinet reshuffle imminent: Mohammed Riyas and Saji Cherian to lose minister posts?

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rumours are rife that the Kerala state cabinet may be reshuffled soon. A media outlet is reporting that the reshuffle is being done to gain ground in the upcoming local body elections and the subsequent assembly elections. Although such rumours have been circulating for some time, the matter has come up again after former MLA A Pradeep Kumar was unexpectedly appointed as the Chief Minister's private secretary. It is also being heard that the ministerial posts of the Chief Minister's son-in-law, PA Mohammed Riyas, and Saji Cherian may be dropped.

There were earlier reports that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan may make some strong political moves with the aim of grabbing power for the third time as well. It is now being heard that the cabinet reshuffle is one of these moves. Mohammed Riyas and Saji Cherian may be removed from their ministerial posts and given more responsibilities in the party. It is learnt that they will be given responsibilities aimed at winning the elections. There are still allegations from within the party and the opposition that Mohammed Riyas was made a minister by bypassing many senior leaders with work experience. It is also heard that the aim of the reorganisation is to face the elections with a clean image in the face of such allegations.

It is also heard that after making Speaker AN Shamseer a minister, KK Shailaja will be made the speaker. Some centres are indicating that many new faces may be included in the cabinet while maintaining a communal balance. There are indications that the cabinet reorganisation will also take into account the reorganisation of the Congress party leadership that maintained a communal balance. However, the CPM centres are not giving any confirmation regarding the reorganisation.