THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM veteran Pinarayi Vijayan, who led the LDF to an unprecedented consecutive victory in the April 6 assembly polls, was on Thursday sworn in as the Chief Minister of Kerala for the second successive term.

Governor Arif Mohammed Khan administered the oath of office to 76-year-old Pinarayi in a low-key function at the Central Stadium here, which was held completely in adherence with the COVID protocol.

It is the second stint of the Marxist veteran in the top office.

Opposition Congress-UDF leaders kept away from the function in view of the COVID-19 spread.

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the government to restrict the number of participants in the ceremony in view of the pandemic.

K Rajan, a representative of the CPM was sworn in second as Revenue Minister.

Roshy Augustine of Kerala Congress was sworn in as Irrigation Minister.

Krishnankutty, who was also a member of the previous Pinarayi government got the power department unexpectedly.

NCP representative A K Saseendran was sworn in next. He was the Minister of Transport and this time he will be holding Forest Department.

Antony Raju was sworn in in the name of God as Minister of Transport.

Ahamad Devarkovil, INL representative took the oath next. He has been given ports department.

CPM representative Abdurahman and CPI representative G R Anil and K N Balagopal as finance minister took the oath.

CPM acting secretary and LDF convenor A Vijayaraghavan’s wife R Bindu was sworn in next. She is a representative from Irinjalakuda.

CPI member Chinchu Rani from Chadayamangalam took the oath next.

Second in the cabinet and CPM central committee member M V Govindan was sworn in next.

Muhammad Riaz took the oath next. He is expected to get Public Works.

P Prasad, a CPI representative from Cherthala took the oath next.

K Radhakrishnan, who won from Chelakkara constituency and expected to get devaswom was sworn in next. P Rajeev likely to get industry was the next to take oath.

Saji Cherian who got a thumping majority from Chenganoor was the next sworn in as minister. He is likely to get fisheries and cultural departments.

V Sivankutty took oath next. He is expected to get public education and labour.

Veena George who will be handling health was the last to swear in.