Thiruvananthapuram: CPM central committee member E.P. Jayarajan was on Wednesday sworn in as minister at a solemn ceremony held at Raj Bhavan.
Governor P Sathasivam administered the oath of office and secrecy to Jayarajan in the presence of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan , his Cabinet colleagues, MLAs, MPs, senior officials and people from different walks of life.
The Kannur strongman took oath by solemn affirmation. After the swearing-in ceremony at the Raj Bhavan, Jayarajan went straight to the Secretariat to take charge.
After a brief meeting with senior officials of his department, the minister attended the Cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Apart from industries, 68-year-old Jayarajan will have commerce, youth affairs and sports. His induction into the ministry had led to a minor reshuffle in the portfolios of other ministers.
There were reports that the chief minister might hand over charge to Jayarajan before leaving for the US for medical check-up.
‘’Pinarayi Vijayan is scheduled to travel to the US on August 19 for a 17-day treatment at the reputed Mayo Clinic.
However, when asked about handing over the charge to Jayarajan, the chief minister declined to talk much on the issue saying that it was an administrative matter.
Oppn boycotts Swearing-in
The Opposition UDF on Wednesday boycotted the swearing in ceremony of E P Jayarajan.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged that by inducting Jayarajan into Cabinet, the LDF had compromised with nepotism and corruption.
He said the decision to bring back the Kannur leader was politically immoral.
Chennithala said the reshuffle of portfolios following Jayarajan's induction had proved that three of the LDF ministers; A.C. Moideen, K.T. Jaleel and C. Raveendranath had failed to deliver.
The Opposition leader said the CPM deciding the portfolios of ministers taking Governor on board was unprecedented.
The opposition had also opposed the LDF decision to revive the post of Government Chief Whip.
Earlier, Jayarajan said he would have wanted representatives of all political parties including opposition to attend the swearing-in ceremony.
