If another term is received then oath-taking ceremony will take place on Monday; Pinarayi gives directions to the general administration dept

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM sources say that if the incumbent LDF government gets another term then the oath-taking ceremony may not get delayed further. Sources near to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said that the oath-taking ceremony of Pinarayi Vijayan might take place on Monday. The party’s stand is that in the midst of the rapid spread of the pandemic there should not be any deadlock in the administration. The chief minister has given due directions to the general administration department to make necessary arrangements for the oath-taking ceremony if the left front gets another term.

The general administration department will make necessary arrangements for the oath-taking ceremony after consulting with Raj Bhavan if LDF gets another term. As the Covid 19 protocol needs to be observed, the oath-taking ceremony will be held in Raj Bhavan. Last time, the Pinarayi government’s oath ceremony was held in the central stadium with much pomp and show.

Sources say along with the chief minister, ministers from other constituent parties will also take their oaths to office. Meanwhile, certain circles also say that minister K K Shylaja and the chief minister alone will take the oath to office. In 2016, Pinarayi Vijayan took the oath to the office on the sixth day after poll results were declaredd. Now, the chief minister has given due directions to the general administration dept after consulting with the party.

The exit polls results have further enhanced the confidence of LDF. As per the existing protocol, the present ministry must submit resignation before the governor. After that, the parliamentary party meet of the party and the front will be convened in which the chief minister will be elected. The letter which proves the government’s majority must also be submitted to the governor.

The LDF sources also indicate that in the existing situation, the winning candidates may not wait until reaching Thiruvananthapuram and instead, they might elect Pinarayi Vijayan as the leader of the front via an online meet. The chief minister is now staying at Dharmadom. After knowing the election results the chief minister will reach Thiruvananthapuram along with the certificate of the election commission. Sources say he will leave for Thiruvananthapuram tomorrow night itself.

Even if UDF comes to power, they won’t delay the oath-taking ceremony. In the midst of the pandemic situation, if they further delay the ceremony in the name of factional spat and the lack of consensus in their own front, then it will stir up new controversies at the beginning itself. For Congress, choosing the chief minister alone is a Himalayan task under the present circumstances.