M B Rajesh takes oath as minister, CM to decide portfolio

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: M B Rajesh, who stepped down as speaker, took oath as minister on Tuesday. The swearing-in ceremony took place at 11 am in Raj Bhavan. As Kodiyeri Balakrishnan stepped down, Rajesh has been appointed as minister thereby filling in the vacancy of M V Govindan, who has been appointed as the new CPM state secretary. The ceremony was attended by leaders, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Opposition Leader V D Satheesan, among other ministers.

Earlier, M V Govindan had handled significant portfolios of local government and the excise department. Hints suggest that the same departments will be given to M B Rajesh as well. Ahead of the ceremony, Rajesh told the media that the chief minister would decide the portfolios. There is also a possibility of change in departments.

Meantime, Thalassery MLA A N Shamseer will become the next speaker of the Kerala legislative assembly. A special assembly session to elect Shamseer as the new speaker will be convened on September 12 at 10 am.

The session on September 12 is a continuation of the session, which had concluded on September 1. If there is no candidate from the opposition, then the election procedures will end within an hour. However, if the opposition fields a candidate, then the voting will be held via secret ballot. Following which, the winner will be appointed as speaker and the chief minister and opposition leader will extend congratulations.