Announcing these decisions, the Chief Minister said two out of the five guarantees made by the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi are being implemented, to start with. Other guarantees like Rs 25 lakh insurance will be implemented later. The hike has come as a big relief for ASHA workers. They are happy that Satheesan has kept his promise that one of the first decisions of the Congress-led UDF Government if it wins the election will be to raise the honorarium of ASHA workers. The Chief Minister also announced a Rs 1000 raise for pre-primary teachers and ayahs. The elderly can also feel happy as the new Government has decided to set up a separate department for them.

Earlier, a 21-member United Democratic Front (UDF) Ministry headed by Vadasseri Damodara Menon Satheesan was sworn in at a colourful function in the Kerala Capital of Thiruvananthapuram. marking the end of its 10-year ‘power drought’ and the beginning of a new phase in Kerala politics.

The Central Stadium where the glittering swearing -in ceremony was held was packed to capacity. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to VD Satheesan and his ministerial team. The first to take the oath was Chief Minister-designate V D Satheesan himself, followed by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader P. K. Kunhalikutty, who will be the number two in the Kerala Cabinet. All the ministers except two - Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) leader Baby John and C. P. John of the Communist Marxist Party(CMP) - took the oath in the name of god.

The Satheesan Ministry has a few things to commend itself. This is the first time that a complete Cabinet was sworn in in 60 years. A notable feature was the inclusion of two women ministers in the Cabinet. There are also two ministers from the Scheduled Caste communities.

The Congress has 11 ministers: Ramesh Chennithala, Sunny Joseph, K. Muralidharan, A. P. Anil Kumar, P. C. Vishnunath, T. Siddique, Bindu Krishna, K. A. Thulasi, Roji M. John, M. Liju and O. J. Janeesh, 37, who is the baby of the team.

Five IUML MLAs were also sworn in as ministers. They are: P. K. Kunhalikutty, N. Shamsudeen, K. M. Shaji, P. K. Basheer and V. E. Abdul Gafoor.

Besides, Mons Joseph from the Kerala Congress, Shibu Baby John of the RSP, Anoop Jacob from the Kerala Congress(Jacob) and C.P. John of the CMP were also sworn in as ministers.

Senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and Shanimol Usman will be the new Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

Among the dignitaries who attended the function were Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, MP from Wayanad Priyanka Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Kerala’s new Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan, CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam and BJP state president Rajiv Chandrasekhar.

The Satheesan Ministry has assumed office after a 13-day-long drama marked by hard bargaining, escalating tension, suspense and dramatic climax – all the ingredients that go in to the making of a Bollywood blockbuster.

One thing can be said with certainty. This is a Cabinet dominated by the loyalists of AICC general secretary in charge of organisation K. C. Venugopal, who was a contender for the CM’s post. As many as nine ministers in the new Cabinet are KC’s confidants. As a wag put it, Satheesan may be the captain but the team belongs to KC Venugopal, who is part of the Congress High Command. The general perception is that Satheesan’s wings have been clipped, and KC will be the one calling the shots.

Likewise, Ramesh Chennithala joined the Government after being assured of the Home portfolio. Ramesh has had his way as the portfolios of Home and Vigilance have been allotted to him. Ramesh was also keen on two of his loyalists – Anwar Sadat and I. C. Balakrishnan - being made ministers. But that was not to be. The grapevine has it that Venugopal and Chennithala have joined hands forming a ‘mini group’ within the UDF, which will have a crucial bearing on the UDF Government’s future functioning.

Another significant straw in the wind: the IUML, which dominated the previous Oommen Chandy-led UDF Government, is unlikely to have that ‘privilege’ any more. The reason: both KC and Ramesh will closely watch the IUML’s conduct. Any attempt at calling the shots will be vehemently opposed. The duo have a ‘valid’ reason for targeting the IUML, which antagonised them by openly backing Satheesan for the CM’s post.

The IUML has already given them the provocation with an angry outburst against Congress leader Mathew Kuzhalnadan who had said that IUML need not bother about who will become the CM, and that the Congress is capable of deciding the issue on its own. The League’s ire is being interpreted as its intolerance of any criticism against the party. The ‘unkindest cut’ was the open threat to ensure the defeat of Priyanka Gandhi’ in future election from Wayanad if Venugopal was made the CM. Unless the IUML mends its ways and restrain its leaders from making such provocative e remarks, the party would be inviting trouble in the days ahead. (IPA Service)