But the euphoria will spend itself soon. The government will have to buckle down to face the formidable challenges and daunting tasks before it. If the first term was tough, what with a multitude of challenges confronting it, the second term is not going to be easier either. If anything, it will be tougher as the problems – frightening spike in Covid cases and the perilous state of the State’s economy among them - have grown in magnitude.

It is, however gratifying to note that the new government, riding high on confidence, has begun well. A slew of people-friendly measures has been announced which will enhance the feel good factor. Top priority has been accorded to eradicating acute poverty. The first cabinet meeting has asked the local self-government department to undertake a comprehensive survey to achieve this. Over the next five years, each destitute person and family will be identified and brought above the poverty line through local and domestic projects, asserted the Chief Minister after the meeting.

Secondly, the Cabinet will bring in a legislation to prevent eviction of people from their homes in the name of revenue recovery proceedings by financial institutions. A committee consisting of the additional chief secretary (Finance), additional chief secretary(Planning) and a few lawyers has been asked to prepare a report by July 15.

There is good news for housewives, too. A ‘Smart Kitchen’ project aimed at reducing the load of women engaged in domestic work will be launched soon. The Chief Secretary and secretaries of LSG and women and child development departments have been entrusted with the task of devising the project. This, incidentally, is one of the promises made in LDF’s election manifesto.

Creation of jobs for 20 lakh educated people is another important step taken by the new government. The Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council(K-DISC) has been directed to prepare a report, by July 15, in this regard.

A massive project to ensure delivery of all government services on line at the people’s doorsteps has also been announced. This is in line with the government’s vision that availing all government services is the right of the people. The scheme will be rolled out on Gandhi Jayanti day on October 2. The IT secretary and IT industry experts have been assigned the task of giving it the final shape. A committee has been set up to broaden the implementation of e-office and e-file systems, A single window grievance redress mechanism will be in place to prevent prospective entrepreneurs from visiting multiple offices to address their complaints. The government has also devised a long-term plan of raising the living standards of the people in the state on a par with the developed countries over the next 25 years.

Governor Arif Mohammed Khan administered the oath of office and secrecy to Pinarayi Vijayan and 20 ministers at a function held in the Central Stadium in the state capital and organized in strict adherence to the Covid protocol. There are 17 new faces in the 21-member Council of Ministers. The new Cabinet ministers are: K. Radhakrishnan, MV Govindan, KN Balagopal, P. Rajeeve, VN Vasavan, V. Sivankutty, Saji Cherian, Veena George, P. A. Mohammed Riyas and R. Bindu of CPI(M); V. Abdurahiman, CPI(M)-backed Independent; K. Rajan. P. Prasad, G. R. Anil and J. Chinchurani of CPI; A. K. Saseendran of the Nationalist Congress Party; K. Krishnankutty of Janata Dal(S); Roshy Augustine of Kerala Congress(M); Antony Raju of Janathipathya Kerala Congress and Ahmed Devarkovil of the Indian National League (INL).

The CPI also insisted on a single-term norm for ministers. And the party has inducted fresh faces.

The formation of the new cabinet was not without surprises. The biggest surprise – and an unpleasant one -was the exclusion of KK Shailaja whose efficient handling of the Nipah outbreak and later the Covid pandemic had earned her national as well as international encomium. Her sterling performance as Health Minister reflected amply in her victory in the assembly election with the highest majority – over 61, 000 votes. Her excellent record as the Health Minister was a major factor that contributed to the LDF’s remarkable poll victory. But the Kannur lobby thought otherwise. Surprisingly, Shailaja failed to get the overwhelming support of the lobby. The CPI(M) leadership’s insistence on a single-term norm during cabinet formation went against Shailaja. The official leadership felt that an exemption could not be given to just one person. There were other ministers in the outgoing ministry who performed extremely well, they felt. Her exclusion has sent shock waves among the healthcare workers in the state. The new Health Minister Veena George will find it hard to fill the big shoes of Shailaja.

Likewise, the new Finance Minister K N Balagopal faces a daunting task of managing the state’s fragile economy. Balagopal differs from the former finance minister Thomas Isaac in his approach to the GST issue. While Isaac was of the view that the GST regime will benefit the state, Balagopal disagreed with it. He thinks that the advent of GST has robbed the state of its ability to raise new resources.

There is a school of thought which is credited with the view that a judicious blend of the old and the new would have been the ideal norm for cabinet formation. Some of the ministers in the Pinarayi 1.0 team like Shailaja, Isaac and G. Sudhakaran whose credentials are impeccable, could have been retained. But that was not to be as the CPI(M) state leadership felt that the policy is to go in for fresh faces in preparation for the future. Retaining old faces could cause a Bengal-like situation and loss of power.

But then, the proof of the pudding is in its eating. It remains to be seen how the new team, albeit inexperienced, would fare. It will not be easy for them as invariably, there will be comparisons with their efficient predecessors. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has his task cut out. He has to get the best out of his new team. It is an awesome responsibility. But, if the beginning of the second innings is any guide, then indications are that the new Pinarayi team is keen on maintaining the momentum, consolidating the gains from the first five years and building on it. All strength to the new Ministry’s elbow. (IPA Service)