Oommen Chandy to swear in as new Kerala CM on Wednesday

Thiruvananthapuram, May 15: The Congress Legislature Party meeting elected former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy as their Legislative Party Leader. Oommen Chandy, who won from the Puthupally constituency in Kottayam District, will became the new Chief Minister of Kerala.

The decision was taken unanimously in the meeting which was attended by senior Congress leaders Mohsina Kidwai and Madhusdan Mistry. While announcing the decision, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala said that the decision was approved by Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

While describing the proceedings, Oommen Chandy said that United Democratic Fronty (UDF) is not effected by the low majority gained during the election. He also added that it won't affect the smooth functioning of the new government.

Oommen Chandy, who replaced AK Antony in Aug 2004 as Chief Minister, guided UDF to victory over the CPI-M led LDF. The UDF won 72 seats and LDF got 68 seats out of 140-member Kerala Assembly.

Oommen Chandy will meet the Governor later tonight to stake claim. The swearing-in ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 18. Along with Oomen Chandy, other UDF leaders like PK Kunhali Kutty of IUML and KM of Mani of Kerala Congress (M) will also assign power.

The Cabinet would be expanded later after discussions among the partners about the number of berths and portfolios to be shared.

OneIndia News