CPI(M) veteran Pinarayi Vijayan, who led the Left Democratic Front (LDF) to an unprecedented consecutive victory in the April 6 assembly polls, was on Thursday sworn in as the Chief Minister of Kerala for the second successive term.
Governor Arif Mohammed Khan administered the oath of office to 76-year-old Vijayan in a low-key function at the Central Stadium, which was held completely in adherence with the COVID protocol. It is the second stint of the Marxist veteran in the top office.
Opposition Congress-UDF leaders kept away from the function in view of the COVID-19 spread.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Pinarayi Vijayan for commencing his second term as Kerala chief minister.
While 15 ministers including the chief minister took oath in the name of the Indian Constitution, five took it in the name of God.
Representative of the Indian National League in the CPI(M)-led ministry, Ahamed Devarkovil, took oath in the name of Allah.
The ceremony began after the Governor reached the venue at 3.30 pm and concluded at 4.50 pm.
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the government to restrict the number of participants in the ceremonyin view of the pandemic.
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