Preparations begin at Central Stadium, pandal to seat 800 people will be erected; second Pinarayi Govt to be sworn in on May 20

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Preparations for the swearing in ceremony of the second Pinarayi government have started at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The swearing-in ceremony is fixed to be held at the Central Stadium on May 20. The work is progressing as part of the preparations including erecting a pandal.

As Covid protocol exists, the swearing-in ceremony will be conducted accordingly. A pandal able to seat 800 people will be erected. This will be limited to advance notice only. The public will not be allowed access.

With the swearing in ceremony fixed to May 20, the Left Front is planning to move forward with an agreement on the ministers and departments by May 18. As part of this, bilateral talks are progressing. The second round of talks on the formation of the cabinet is underway at the AKG Centre. Apart from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran is also participating in the discussions.

The Kerala Congress is repeatedly demanding two ministerial posts. However, the CPM is against it. The Kerala Congress has stated that if it has decided not to give two berths, then should give one of the main departments. The CPI is not ready to give any of their existing portfolios. All these things need to be discussed in detail again.