CPI's new faces in Kerala's next govt

The CPI has decided on new faces for all the four ministerial posts and the Deputy Speaker position allotted to the party by the LDF in the new Kerala government.

Thiruvananthapuram: In the historic second consecutive term of the LDF government, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the second main ally in the Left Democratic Front (LDF), goes along with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM)’s policy of forming the cabinet with fresh faces. The CPI has decided on new faces for all the four ministerial posts and the Deputy Speaker position allotted to the party by the LDF.

CPI’s Chittayam Gopakumar, who is a third-time legislator from the CPI, would serve as the Deputy Speaker. The CPI ministers in the Pinarayi Vijayan 2.0 cabinet are as follows:

K Rajan (47)

Presently the Chief Whip for the LDF government, K Rajan, represents the Ollur constituency in the Legislative Assembly for the second time. Rajan, who reached the public sphere through the All India Students' Federation (AISF), serves as the CPI state executive committee member and All India Youth Federation (AIYF) National secretary.

He has also worked as the Union Joint Secretary with the Calicut University and Youth Welfare Board member. After graduating from Thrissur Kerala Varma College in B.Sc, Rajan went on and pursued law from Thiruvananthapuram Law Academy. The CPI has also chosen Rajan to be the legislature party deputy leader.

P Prasad (51)

Representing Cherthala in the Assembly, P Prasad had lost in Harippad Constituency in the previous election. Presently, the chairman of the Housing Board, Prasad also reached the political arena through CPI’s student organisation, the All India Students' Federation (AISF). He was the AISF state president. He has also served as CPI Pathanamthitta district secretary, All India Adivasi Maha Sabha Executive Member and Kerala University Senate member.

While Binoy Vishwam was the Forest Minister in Kerala, Prasad had served as the Additional Private Secretary for the Forest Minister. He has led many environmental protests and movements. The protest against Aranmula Airport was initiated under Prasad, the then CPI Pathanamthitta District secretary. He has been behind the bars for 34 days while leading and participating in various protests and rebellions.

G R Anil (58)

A legislator from Nedumangad Constituency, GR Anil has been the CPI’s Thiruvananthapuram District secretary for the past 7 years. Entering the public sphere through AISF, Anil has worked in leadership roles - District Secretary and state office bearer- with AISF, AIYF and Kisan Sabha. After graduating from University College in Political Science, Anil went on to pursue Law degree from Thiruvananthapuram Law Academy. He was also elected the Councillor from Nemom to the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and has served as the Standing Committee chairman for Health in the Corporation.

J Chinchu Rani (56)

J Chinchu Rani from the CPI has been elected from the Chadayamangalam constituency to the Kerala Assembly for the first time. Chinchu Rani has been a National Council Member of the CPI and a state executive committee member of the party. Presently, she is the state president of the Women’s Association and the chairperson of the Poultry Corporation. She was the youngest member of the Iravipuram Panchayath. Chinchu also has experience as the Kollam Corporation Standing Committee member and the District Panchayath member.