Mathew T Thomas, A K Saseendran to enter cabinet

Thiruvananthapuram: After hectic parleys the Janata Dal (S) chose Mathew T Thomas as its nominee for the Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet. The decision was taken by the national leadership and announced by H D Devegowda. Mathew T Thomas is likely to get the transport portfolio which he had held in the 2006 V S Achuthananan government.

He will have to step down from the presidentship of the stae unit of hte party following hsi elevation as minister.  Al three MLAs of the party Mathew T Thomas, C K Nanu and K Krishnankutty were in the race for the berth in the ministry. Howver, Mathew T Thomas was chosen considering his experience in the government.

Chandy will not get the berth

Meanwhile, NCP state president  Uzhavoor Vijayan announced here that Elathur MLA A.K. Saseendran would represent them in the upcoming Pinarayi ministry. He said the final decision was approved by the national leadership.

At a press conference here, he denied that the ministry would be shared for two and half years each by Saseendran and Thomas Chandy. He said both were equally important like the “Siddique-Lal duo in the film industry.” He added that they would accept the LDF decision on portfolios but would like to have departments which are directly linked to people like agriculture and irrigation.