OR Kelu was sworn in as Minister in the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala at a function held at Raj Bhavan here on Sunday.
Governor Arif Mohammed Khan administered the oath of office and secrecy to Kelu. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other political leaders, including those from the opposition, attended the oath-taking ceremony
He was inducted into the cabinet after K Radhakrishnan resigned as minister upon winning the recently held Lok Sabha election.
Kelu is an MLA from Mananthavady in Wayanad district.
“I am pleased that the opposition attended the swearing-in ceremony. We will find a permanent solution to wild animal attacks (in Wayanad). Priority will be given to Wayanad Medical College, and efforts will be made to secure more MBBS seats,” Kelu told reporters after taking the oath.
Though Kelu is replacing K Radhakrishnan, who held Devaswom and SC and ST welfare portfolios, the former has been given the SC and ST welfare portfolio only. Opposition and some civil society leaders criticised the LDF for not giving the Devaswom portfolio to Kelu, who is the first CPI (M) minister in Kerala from a tribal community. (ANI)