Thiruvananthapuram, September 2 (BPNS)

The state cabinet is set to have a minor reshuffle as the ruling front Communist Party of India (Marxist) decided to appoint Speaker MB Rajesh as a minister. A first-time MLA, Rajesh will replace MV Govindan, who was recently appointed as CPI(M) state secretary.

As per a statement from the CPI(M) state secretariat, Govindan will resign as minister and Rajesh will replace him. The new speaker will be AN Shamseer.

It was on August 28 that the party decided to appoint Govindan as its new secretary after Kodiyeri Balakrishnan expressed his desire to step down citing health problems.

In the second Pinarayi Vijayan government, Govindan handled portfolios of Local Self Governments, Excise, Town Planning, Rural Development, Regional Development Authorities, and Kerala Institute of Local Administration.

However, it is yet to be officially announced whether Rajesh will be given the same portfolios that Govindan handled.

As per sources, the chances for portfolio rejig are high as a new face is set to enter the Cabinet.

Earlier, following Saji Cheriyan’s unceremonious exit from the Cabinet following his remarks against the Indian Constitution, the portfolios that he handled – fisheries, cultural affairs, and youth affairs were shared between three ministers – VN Vasavan, V Abdurahiman, and PA Mohamed Riyas.

Rajesh who got elected from the Thrithala constituency; in Palakkad district was only the third person to become the Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly in the first term itself. Others are TS John and AC Jose.

Before becoming an MLA, Rajesh was a Member of Parliament from the Palakkad constituency and was elected as MP for two consecutive terms.

In his capacity as Speaker, Rajesh earned a reputation for his fairness and efficiency allowing the space for the Opposition to present issues even though it had the potential to embarrass the government.

At the same time, the new Speaker candidate Shamseer, who got elected from Thalassery, is known for his theatrics inside the Assembly often interrupting Opposition speakers from his bench.

Ironically, there was also an incident in which Opposition Leader VD Satheesan, had to say “This Shamseer when was he made Speaker?” as he interrupted him during one of his speeches.

The video of the same is being shared widely immediately after Shamseer’s elevation as Speaker.