Kerala's LDF govt begins second term amid Covid challenges

The LDF, holding on to secularism, has changed the state's tradition of being ruled by the UDF and the LDF alternatively. The LDF rule will have a decisive role in the prospects of the CPI M and other Leftist organizations in Indian politics.

Thiruvananthapuram: Rewriting the history of Kerala, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government led by Pinarayi Vijayan was sworn in for its second term on Thursday. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) led Government has gained the spotlight across the nation as the saffron wave failed to hit the state.

The LDF, holding on to secularism, has changed the state's tradition of being ruled by the UDF and the LDF alternatively. The LDF rule will have a decisive role in the prospects of the CPI M and other Leftist organizations in Indian politics.

‘Captain’ Pinarayi

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has been lauded for creating history and the term Captain resonates in the political arena while dissensions within the party are not negligible. CPI M leaders continue to reiterate that the party is the captain, not the person.

Pinarayi Vijayan had clarified, in his first term itself that once he is sworn in as the Chief Minister, he is the Chief Minister of Kerala and not of the party.

In the second term, the matters are clearer. Tracing past events, people in Kerala were in disdain of Vijayan's leadership as party secretary. However, he spearheaded the state in tackling challenging situations.

Vijayan's choice of Cabinet Ministers and portfolio allocation has been widely discussed. Fresh and young faces head many crucial departments.

The second main ally in the LDF, the CPI had also extended support to Vijayan in these choices. There were heated debates over star performers in the previous Cabinet being excluded. Ex-ministers Thomas Isaac and G Sudhakaran did not even contest this time. Of those who contested and got a whopping majority are KK Shailaja, M M Mani and AC Moideen but they would be seated on the legislator’s bench in the Assembly this time.

KN Balagopal, P Rajeev, MV Govindan, PA Muhammed Riyas, Veena George, C Sivankutty, and Prof Bindu are to handle major portfolios in the second term of the LDF Government.

Challenges await

The Nava Kerala Mission and the second wave of COVID 19 pandemic remain to be huge challenges for Pinarayi Vijayan. The fresh team and its team leader at the helm are to face these challenges quickly and effectively.

The Congress-led UDF which could not get back to power would surely return to the Assembly by drawing all strength to form a strong opposition. Fresh faces have now joined along with the old steed at the Opposition front, for whom it will be the politics of sustenance in the next five years.

Kerala can expect strong confrontations and conflicts between the Opposition and the Government in the Assembly and in the public sphere.

Slew of policy measures announced during first Cabinet meeting

Declaring that it was committed to provide housing for all in the state, Kerala's new LDF government on Thursday decided to enact stringent legislation to prevent the loss of accommodation through foreclosure proceedings. The first meeting of the state Cabinet also announced a slew of policy measures including steps to alleviate extreme poverty from the state and come up with a "smart kitchen" scheme for housewives.

He said a single-window system will be brought in the state to solve the various complaints related to the launch of the industries in the state.

The first session of the 15th Kerala Assembly will be held on Monday. Vijayan said the cabinet meeting held has decided to recommend the Governor to convene the Assembly session on May 24 and 25th.