Oommen Chandy to be Kerala chief minister

Sunday May 15, 2011 07:03:19 PM, IANS

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala's veteran Congress leader Oommen Chandy was Sunday elected leader of the Congress legislature party by its 38 members. His name has been cleared by party chief Sonia Gandhi to become the state's 21st chief minister, a party official said.

The unanimous decision came in the meeting held at the party headquarters which was attended by all the newly-elected legislators and also party high command officials from Delhi.

Chandy later assured the people that their trust in the United Democratic Front (UDF) will always be respected.

The UDF won the elections with 72 seats in the 140-member Kerala assembly, only four seats ahead of the Left Democratic Front's 68.

"The slender majority has not dented our confidence. It must be recalled that the C. Achutha Menon ministry (1970-77), which was supported by the Congress, had a majority of only three seats. Despite that the government initiated several path-breaking initiatives," said Chandy.

"The people have voted for a change and we will not let down their aspirations. We assure them that the UDF will work as a cohesive unit through mutual cooperation," Chandy added.

The date and time of the swearing-in of the new government will be decided after the UDF allies meet later Sunday.

There were celebrations in Puthupally, Chandy's home town and constituency after he was named the legislative party leader. Supporters gathered at his home, bursting crackers and sharing sweets.

Chandy has been a legislator from Puthupally since 1970, never losing an assembly election since then.

This time, his victory margin of 33,255 was his highest ever.

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(Photo: Hansraj)