Pinarayi Vijayan calls on Governor

Thiruvananthapuram, May 25: Chief Minister-designate Pinarayi Vijayan today called on Kerala Governor Justice (retd) P Sathasivam and handed over a list of his 19-member cabinet. The governor greeted Vijayan with a bouquet and exchanged pleasantries.

The meeting lasted for about 15 minutes.Vijayan told reporters at Raj Bhavan that he had handed over the list containing names of his ministers."People are seeing this government with a lot of expectations", he said.

When asked if any decisions can be anticipated to match the expectations of the people, he quipped "wait and watch."

Before proceeding to Raj Bhavan, he visited AKG Centre, the headquarters of CPI(M)'s office. Hundreds of party workers, who had come from various parts of the state, especially from Kannur and Kasaragod districts in north Kerala, cheered him as he left for the Raj Bhavan.

72-year-old Vijayan, son of a toddy tapper, will be sworn in as 12th Chief Minister of Kerala at a function at the Central Stadium here at 4 PM.

Elaborate arrangements are being made for the swearing-in ceremony which is expected to be attended by CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, Polit Bureau member Prakash Karat and people from all walks of life, including thousands of party workers.

In the May 16 Assembly polls, the CPI(M)-led LDF had been voted to power by winning 91 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly by drubbing the Congress led UDF government headed by Oommen Chandy which could manage only 47 MLAs. BJP and independent won one seats each.

PTI