LDF ministry set in record time

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the LDF finalising most of its ministers in a record time without any external interference from community leaders or religious organisations, the Pinarayi Vijayan led government has started off on a right note. The CPM state secretariat on Sunday took couple of hours to prepare the list of its 11 ministers.

The state committee on Monday took just 30 minutes to endorse the list and give the final stamp of approval. Soon all speculations regarding the ministers and Speaker ended with the CPM issuing an official statement. Earlier, the chief minister's issue was also sorted out in matter of few hours.

Notwithstanding the differences, the CPI too came out with the list of its ministers in a record time. While CPI state executive took one and a half hours to discuss and finalise the names, despite, differences cropping up on the exclusion of C Divakaran and Mullakara Ratnakaran the state council endorsed it in an hour.

A beaming Kanam Rajendran came out of the meting to announce the names of its four ministers. While Congress (S) Kadanapally Ramachandran, the lone MLA of his party, is set to join the Cabinet, the NCP and JD(S) are yet to finalise their names.

The social networking sites are full of praise for the LDF for finalising their ministers without giving any room to community leaders.  Most recollect that situation was just the opposite during the UDF regime when most community leaders and religious called shot even in issues of Cabinet formation.

Though inducting minister is the prerogative of the chief minister, it may be recalled that IUML supremo Panakkad Hyderali Shihab Thangal unilaterally announced party's fifth minister in 2012. The announcement led to a hue and cry, but the then chief minister gave in to the pressure of League and inducted the fifth minister.

In another instance, NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair slammed the UDF for failing to give key posts to the community. It sought key position to leaders like Ramesh Chennithala.

Though UDF leaders came out strongly against Nair initially, later they not only gave ministerial berth to Chennithala but also handed over key portfolio of Home.  Many believe the LDF decision to finalise its ministers on its own without taking directions from community groups and religions groups will strengthen democracy.