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Pinarayi spotlights Kerala’s success story in New York

At a public event in New York’s Times Square, the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan addressed the diaspora community from Kerala, highlighting the state’s achievements in various sectors over the past six years….reports Asian Lite News

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan praised Kerala as a beacon of progress, emphasising the importance of inclusivity and unity for a brighter future. Speaking at a public event in New York’s Times Square, he addressed the diaspora community from Kerala, highlighting the state’s achievements in various sectors over the past six years.

Vijayan inaugurated the American Regional Conference of the Loka Kerala Sabha, a non-resident Keralites’ convention in New York.

The event was attended by Speaker AN Shamseer, Finance Minister KN Balagopal, Chief Secretary V P Joy, and other senior officials. He emphasised Kerala’s commitment to social harmony, equitable growth, and progressive values, citing infrastructure development, investments in education, healthcare, and economic advancements.        

The chief minister stressed that Kerala’s policies prioritise compassion, social justice, and empowerment of marginalized communities. He proudly stated that Kerala stands as an example of inclusive development, with a strong focus on people’s well-being.

Vijayan acknowledged the state’s achievements, such as attaining the top position in the national food safety index and being recognized as the most literate state. Kerala’s government schools, hospitals, and law-and-order situation were commended as the best in the country, fostering communal harmony and peace.

Encouraging cooperation from Malayalis worldwide, Vijayan urged them to contribute to Kerala’s ongoing prosperity. He also highlighted Kerala’s status as India’s first fully e-governed state, emphasizing the importance of technology in promoting transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity. Over 900 public services are now accessible online, revolutionizing governance in Kerala.

Vijayan said that his government’s controversial semi-high-speed rail project, SilverLine, which has been back-burnered by the Centre, will be a reality.

We’re working toward getting approval for the project even as a certain section adopted a stand to sabotage it. Pressure was put on the Centre to stop the project… so, under the circumstances, though the project has not been approved yet, the semi-high-speed rail service will be materialised,” Vijayan said.

The Kerala CM has claimed that Kerala’s rail connectivity is poor compared to its air transport, roads and waterways. He said while the single Vande Bharat service in Kerala has gained acceptance, people have not given up hope on the K rail.

In conclusion, Chief Minister Vijayan celebrated Kerala’s achievements, its commitment to progress, and the collective effort required to continue the state’s journey towards prosperity.

Earlier, the chief minister has inaugurated the Business Investment Meet and met with Malayali investors in America, prominent expatriate Malayalis, IT experts, students and women entrepreneurs.

“Had a fruitful interaction with prominent Malayali industrialists, heads of institutions, and entrepreneurs in the US, exchanging ideas that can fuel innovation and drive the economic progress of the state. Together, let’s strive hard to build a prosperous future for Kerala,” Vijayan tweeted.

The Chief Minister is also scheduled to meet the World Bank South Asia Regional Vice President Martin Raiser in Washington DC. On June 13, Vijayan will personally visit and understand the Maryland waste management systems. On June 14, he will leave New York for Havana.

The Chief Minister will participate in various programs in Havana on June 15 and 16. He will meet with various dignitaries. The Chief Minister will also visit the places of historical importance including the memorial of Jose Marti.

The first Loka Kerala Sabha happened in January 2018. 351 members attended the first Loka Kerala Sabha, out of which 100 were living abroad, 42 were from other states of India, 30 experts from various fields and 6 members representing non-resident Keralite returnees and peoples’ representatives.

ALSO READ: Kerala nurse wins Dh20 million in Big Ticket draw

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Kerala Politics

How smooth will be Captain’s second innings?

Pinarayi Vijayan takes oath second time as the cm of kerala . (Photo:pallav paliwal)

The biggest teething problem facing Vijayan is going to be the way how he tackles the Covid surge and the test positivity rate is hovering around 25 per cent mark for a while now, reports Asian Lite News

Even though a lot has been written about the way Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who single handedly led the ruling Left to a stunning historical win in the April 6 assembly elections, all eyes are on him, who by now through his mannerism and the way he conducts himself has turned into the mould of a ‘headmaster’ of an yesteryear school, where his one word and one look can send shivers down the spine of many.

Such is the stamp of authority, Vijayan has now, as he gets ready to start his second innings on Thursday and given his now hugely increased stature, where everything is decided by himself, it remains to be seen how smooth would his second innings be.

In the CPI-M, Vijayan through his iron grip by being the party secretary from 1997 to 2015 turned the clincher when he was able to get everything he wanted and if one looks into yesteryears, always the Chief Minister of the CPI-M stature is a shade below than the party secretary.

Pinarayi Vijayan takes oath second time as the cm of kerala . (Photo:pallav paliwal)

A media critic on condition of anonymity said it was Vijayan who changed that and that happened because each and everyone in his party is known well to him and through the long years of being the secretary, it’s his handpicked people who are now there at all the various levels of committees.

“Just look when he was the party secretary during V.S. Achuthanandan’s tenure as Chief Minister (2006-11), there was always a clash and Vijayan always won. And now look into the past five years of Vijayan’s tenure as Chief Minister. Here again, he was the final word and even the State Secretary took orders from him. Such is his grip over the party and the government. I doubt, if any Chief Minister in our state ever was in such a sound position,” said the critic.

Vijayan showed his stamp of authority when he handpicked his state cabinet of 20 Ministers and there was not a whimper of protest from any quarters in his party or in the Left, when he decided to drop hugely popular Health Minister K.K. Shailaja.

ALSO READ: Cabinet 2.0: Will it be easy or tough for Pinarayi?

“Just look at the Ministers from his party this time and in his first innings. In his first tenure, there were seasoned veterans with previous experience in the cabinet like Thomas Isaac, G. Sudhakaran and A.K. Balan and not to mention of E.P. Jayarajan, a towering personality in the party. Look at his team now, barring the soft spoken K. Radhakrishnan, all the remaining 10 from his party are first time Ministers and they will all be wary of the ‘headmaster’ and will dare not to rub Vijayan the wrong way, when they go about in their respective portfolio,” added the critic.

Pinarayi Vijayan takes oath second time as the cm of kerala . (Photo:pallav paliwal)

Incidentally if one looks into his cabinet, he has included his ‘new’ son-in-law P.A. Mohammed Riyaz, a first time legislator, when there are among the party, legislators with more experience.

Riyaz told the media that during the election campaign there were lot of personal attacks on this front.

“I have won the seat with a huge margin and it clearly shows that all negative campaign issues were dismissed by the electorate. It’s the party which decides what each member should do and I have got this,” said Riyaz.

The biggest teething problem facing Vijayan is going to be the way how he tackles the Covid surge and the test positivity rate is hovering around 25 per cent mark for a while now and the total number of active cases has crossed 3 lakhs, as the state is under a lockdown.

Another issue which he will have to surmount is that the per capita debt of every Keralaite stands at Rs 1,05,000 up from Rs 46,075 in 2016.

The public debt when Vijayan took over in 2016 was Rs 1.50 lakh crore and today it has touched Rs 3.20 lakh crore.

However with a few cases which occurred in the last year of his previous term which includes the gold and dollar smuggling are also dangling above his head and it remains to be seen how and what the Centre will do and what happened in West Bengal is also there for all to see.

So all in all, ‘headmaster’ Vijayan has a tough task on hand and one thing is certain that there will be no honeymoon period for him and his confidence is that he has steered the wheel for the past five years, with no issues either from the Congress led Opposition or from his party.

ALSO READ: Pinarayi Vijayan takes oath as Kerala CM

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Pinarayi Vijayan takes oath as Kerala CM

In the new cabinet, the CPI(M) have 12 ministers, CPI four ministers and one each from Kerala Congress (M), Indian National League, Democratic Kerala Congress, NCP and JD(S), reports Asian Lite News

Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday sworn in as the chief minister of Kerala by Governor Arif Mohammad Khan.

Returning to an unprecedented second term in power, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan unveiled his new team, which jettisons all sitting ministers from his CPI-M, and consists of a mix of youth and experience, besides giving adequate representation to women, caste, communities and religion.

Pinarayi Vijayan takes oath second time as the cm of kerala . (Photo:pallav paliwal)

A 21-member Left Democratic Front (LDF) ministry, headed by Pinarayi Vijayan, took oath at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday. At the grand ceremony organised to mark the historic return of an incumbent government after a span of 40 years, attendance was limited to 500 persons in view of the Covid-19 protocols.

“Took the oaths of office and secrecy as Chief Minister of Kerala. Together let us realise a people’s alternative and build a Nava Keralam!” Vijayan tweeted.

In the new cabinet, the CPI(M) have 12 ministers, CPI four ministers and one each from Kerala Congress (M), Indian National League (INL), Democratic Kerala Congress (DKC), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Janata Dal (S) (JDS).

Pinarayi Vijayan takes oath second time as the cm of kerala . (Photo:pallav paliwal)

MB Rajesh of the CPM is the Speaker and Chittayam Gopakumar of the CPI the Deputy Speaker of the new Assembly. N Jayaraj of KC(M) has been appointed as the chief whip with cabinet rank. 17 out of the 20 ministers in the cabinet are first-timers.

Incidentally in 2016, when Vijayan won his first victory, the stadium was filled with a record 40,000 people, cheering every Minister when their name was called, but this time, it was not to be as the Kerala High Court had directed that there should be no breaking of Covid protocols and the audience should be kept to the barest minimum.

ALSO READ: NAVY Joins Kerala Relief Mission

Conspicuous by their absence was the entire Opposition, as outgoing Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala on Thursday morning called up Vijayan and offered his congratulations and informed him that they are not boycotting the event but had decided to observe the strict Covid protocols as the district is under triple lockdown, and would watch the swearing-in sitting on TV at their homes.

Pinarayi Vijayan takes oath second time as the cm of kerala . (Photo:pallav paliwal)

A music video on the second coming of the LDF government compiled by musicians and actors across Kerala was played at the beginning of the ceremony. The musical, involving 52 singers and musicians, was projected on a 140-ft LED screen placed on the dais before the oath-taking ceremony.

The new team has three women — R Bindu, Chinchu Rani and Veena George — one more than last time and a record number for any Kerala government.

CPI’s Veena George will be the first woman journalist-politician to be a Kerala minister. She is expected to get the Health portfolio held by KK Shailaja.

Pinarayi Vijayan takes oath second time as the cm of kerala . (Photo:pallav paliwal)

Bindhu, the former Thrissur Mayor, is also CPM State Secretary K Vijayraghavan’s wife, and is expected to get Higher Education. CPM leader PA Mohammad Riyas is likely to get PWD and Tourism.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “Congratulations to Shri Pinarayi Vijayanji on taking oath as Chief Minister and commencing his second term in office.” Vijayan was also congratulated by new Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, who led his DMK-Congress alliance to a dominant win in the neighbouring state.

“Best wishes to my brother Pinarayi Vijayan on his swearing in as Chief Minister of Kerala and I hope that his determination and perseverance will lead to social equality, peace and prosperity for the people,” he said.

The new Kerala cabinet needs to hit the ground running because the state – praised for its containment of the virus in the first wave – has been badly affected by the second; active cases are over 3.32 lakh (third-worst in the country) and vaccine doses and oxygen supply is a key problem.

The LDF bucked the trends to win the historic second consecutive term – Kerala normally alternates between Left and Congress-led governments – in the April-May election. The alliance won 99 of 140 seats in this election, with the Congress claiming 41 and the BJP failing to open its account.

ALSO READ: NAVY Joins Kerala Relief Mission





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India News Kerala Politics

Cabinet 2.0: Will it be easy or tough for Pinarayi?

Vijayan entered the history books by leading the Left Democratic Front government to its second successive win when he increased his tally from 91 seats to 99…reports Asian Lite News

The difficult task of winning the elections over, will Pinarayi Vijayan now have it easy or tough, as starting Thursday he begins talks for the composition of Version-2 Pinarayi cabinet.

Vijayan entered the history books by leading the Left Democratic Front government to its second successive win when he increased his tally from 91 seats to 99 in the 140-member Kerala Legislative Assembly.

According to the rules the cabinet can have a maximum strength of 21 including the Chief Minister. There are three other posts which come with cabinet status — Assembly Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Chief Whip.

In the outgoing Vijayan cabinet the CPI-M had 12 Ministers and the Chief Minister’s post, the second biggest ally CPI had four ministers with one each for the Nationalist Congress Party, the Congress (S) and the Janata Dal (S).


However this time the Left has given full fledged ally status to the Kerala Congress (B), the Indian National League (INL) besides two new allies who jumped the fence from the Congress led Opposition — Kerala Congress (Mani) and Loktantrik Janata Dal.

Then there is Kovoor Kunjumon who has been a fellow traveller of the Left ever since he came from the UDF, ahead of the 2016 assembly polls and this time he won his fifth straight election.

A media critic on condition of anonymity said that it may be tough for Vijayan to do the balancing act but Vijayan, given his now exalted status, should be able to finalise all the posts quickly.

Also read:Pinarayi creates history, Mamata humbles BJP

“All what now remains to be seen is, in his first outing his cabinet had 20 people, even when he could have added one more. If it’s going to be like last time, then all the allies will not be able to be accommodated. But if it has to take place, the CPI-M and the CPI will have to end up with lesser posts than in 2016, which can be tough, especially the CPI who might raise a hue and cry,” said the critic.

In 2016, while the Speaker’s post was taken by the CPI-M, this time too it will be the same. The CPI got the Deputy Speaker’s and the Chief Whip’s posts.

Meanwhile there are reports that veteran outgoing Minister Kadanapally Ramachandran, the lone Cong (S) legislator, who won again might be left out this time.

But filmstar turned legislator KB Ganesh Kumar of the Kerala Cong( B) is in all likelihood to get the nod.

The INL party and Kovoor Kunjumon have given letters to Vijayan that they should be considered when posts are decided.

Later on Thursday, he along with his party leaders will have a one to one talk with the CPI and if the CPI agrees to sacrifice one cabinet post, then Vijayan will be able to run through the proceedings with the others smoothly. If not, then there will have to be further discussions.

With the Covid pandemic raging in Kerala and the state in a semi-lockdown mode, Vijayan has decided to wait a while before the swearing in date is fixed. As things stand it could happen in the third week of May, hence, he will have enough time to wrap up talks with his allies.

Also read:Pinarayi to bring back Kodiyeri very soon

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India News Kerala Politics

Pinarayi to bring back Kodiyeri very soon

Pinarayi to bring back Kodiyeri very soon

Balakrishnan has been facing the wrath of a section in his party and from other quarters, because of his two sons…reports Asian Lite News

After leading the CPI-M led Left Front to a resounding second successive term, Pinarayi Vijayan is now all set to bring back Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who last year was given an ‘honourable’ exit by asking him to go on leave for his medical treatment, though the real reason was otherwise.

Balakrishnan has been facing the wrath of a section in his party and from other quarters, because of his two sons. His younger son Bineesh Kodiyeri was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate-Bengaluru unit, soon after his friend was picked up by the Narcotics Control Bureau.

On October 29, Bineesh was arrested and even now he is in a jail in Bengaluru. Balakrishnan’s elder son Binoy Kodiyeri is also caught in a case and the final verdict from a court in Mumbai is yet to come after a woman from Bihar went to the court stating that her son’s father is Binoy.

On account of these two serious issues, the CPI-M in November last year gave Balakrishnan leave as he was undergoing treatment for cancer, and brought in Left Democratic Front convenor A.Vijayaraghavan as acting Secretary of the party.

Incidentally, Vijayan and Balakrishnan both come from Kannur — the cradle of the Communist movement and hence they have a very healthy relation.

In the CPI-M, all know that there exists a Kannur lobby and the rest are known as the non-Kannur lobby. All along it has been the Kannur lobby which has had the upper edge in the party when it comes to party posts and also when cabinet portfolios are distributed.

Also read:‘BJP’s North Indian strategy won’t work in Kerala’

However, a dent has appeared in the Kannur lobby after the party decision that two-time MLAs cannot get a third term. Another Kannur strongman E.P.Jayarajan (State Industries Minister), who was the number two in the first Vijayan cabinet, has been sulking on account of this decision which came as a shocker to him.

A media critic said there has been an aberration in the Kannur lobby which took place after E.P.Jayarajan was denied the seat on the grounds of the new norm and another Kannur powerhouse P.Jayarajan, despite not falling under the norm was also denied.

“This caused heartburns in the rank and file also. But Vijayan played his game by holding the cards close to his chest and brought in M.V. Govindan, another top Kannur leader and he contested and won and is all set to get a key portfolio. It’s here that Vijayan, who has stamped his authority will in all likelihood bring back Balakrishnan and it’s expected to happen very soon,” said the critic.

Incidentally, Balakrishnan became the CPI-M state secretary for the first time at the 21st state party conference held at Alappuzha in 2015, when he replaced Vijayan who was at the helm for a record 17 years.

In 2018, he was given a second term and on account of the Covid pandemic and the Assembly polls, the 23rd state party conference was postponed. And, now it’s going to be held soon and according to sources, Balakrishnan, before the dates of the conference are announced, will return and take over as the Secretary. Sources say that it will be under him that the event will take place and in all likelihood, he will get a final term, as according to the rules of the party, none can stay beyond three terms.

So all these moves show that both the government and the party are firmly under the control of Vijayan and he will be the last word after the successful election.

Also read:Pinarayi creates history, Mamata humbles BJP

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India News Kerala Politics

Vijayan dedicates win to people

Pinarayi Vijayan also tore into the Congress-led opposition, the BJP as well as a section of the media….reports Asian Lite News

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who broke a four-decade-old trend of one term governments in the state as he led his Left Democratic Front to a successive second stint in power, on Sunday dedicated the victory to the people and said they are humbled by the response of the people who supported them and this will be the booster to start work on building a resilient Kerala.

He also tore into the Congress-led opposition, the BJP as well as a section of the media.

Addressing the media at his home base in Kannur when the tally of the victory showed 99 seats for the Left, with the Congress-led Opposition ending up with 41 seats and the BJP which had one seat in the 2016 Assembly polls, failed to get any seat this time, a beaming Vijayan said: “I wish to state that this was a great political fight and this is no doubt a victory of the people and belongs to the people.

“All along after the elections was announced, I had mentioned what is in store and I also said why I have that confidence. Then, I said we believe in the people and people believe in us and that’s why I said we will win more seats than the last time. And it has happened and it happened with the help of the people who beloved in our capabilities as they know, it is only the Left which can work for the welfare and also the development of the state.”

Also read:Vijayan goes hammer and tongs at Shah

“We are deeply honoured by the support of the people who placed their full support on us and it was because of them that we were able to do this. We assure you the people that they can fully trust us and we see ‘power’ as not something to enjoy or to engage in corruption. We have a detailed manifesto which explains everything what we will do as we are one who will promise only what can be done,” he added.

Taking on the BJP, Vijayan said the state saw all its top leaders descend here for the campaign and heard what all was said.

“They even went to the extent of saying that they, without even having the need for the mandatory majority for forming a government, will form the government. When it came to money power, none could match them and what one could see was the ill-effects of having huge money. The victory also shows that our state is not a ground for communal elements like some states in the country,” he said.

Also read:BJP an obstacle to Kerala’s progress: Vijayan

Turning towards the Congress, he said the very existence of the Congress-led UDF is now under a cloud and this has to be discussed.

“Just see what happened when the state suffered a few disasters… what was the role of the Congress-led UDF. When the national agencies came calling here based on few allegations, instead of standing for the interest of the state, they were trying to attack us. The people saw all this and rightfully they did what any person would do and gave us their confidence. So in the best interest of the state, instead of joining hands for the progress of the state, the opposition was out to play spoil sport and the people acted,” said Vijayan.

He then made a blistering attack on a section of the ‘right wing’ media which was “wrongly portraying what we did”.

“Some media houses thought, that everything is under their control and at the tip of their pen. Lot of canards was being spread which were blatant lies and some even launched personal attacks. I wish to tell you (media) that the people know and gauge everything and you do not have any powers, which you think you have,” Vijayan said.

“The media should introspect and we will only be glad if you engage in constructive criticism, which in fact it will be good for us… But that is not what is happening. All what I have to say to you is it is time that you introspect and apply a course correction in the scheme of things that you do. All should understand that we are passing through tough times and hence priorities should be reworked,” he added.

Vijayan said on Monday that he he will submit his resignation to the Governor and then it would be the party which decides on when and how the next step is.

Also read:Vijayan asks pvt hospitals to reserve 25% beds for Covid patients

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India News Kerala

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan tests Covid-19 positive

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan tested Covid-19 positive on Thursday, days after his daughter Veena had tested positive for Covid-19.

The CM is stable ,asymptomatic and is not having any other major health issues at present,the Times of India reported.

He will be shifted to the Kozhikode Medical college soon

CM has taken his first Covid jab on March 3.

Meanwhile, with the Covid test positivity ratio in Kerala climbing to above 5 per cent, a high-level meeting held here on Wednesday decided to tighten Covid protocols with immediate effect.

The decision came as it was found that 3,502 people on Wednesday had tested positive from 60,554 samples tested in the past 24 hours.

Across the state, there are now 31,493 Covid positive patients while 11,08,078 people have been cured so far.

Also read:Sabarimala, the most discussed election topic in Kerala