Thiruvananthapuram, Mananthavady MLA O R Kelu will be made minister in the CPI(M)-led LDF government in Kerala, sources here said on Thursday.
The 54-year-old CPI(M) leader from the Wayanad tribal community will replace K Radhakrishnan, who resigned as Minister for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Parliamentary Affairs and Devaswom after being elected to the Lok Sabha from the seat of Alathur.
Kelu has been recommended by the CPI(M) state committee for appointment as a minister in the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF ministry, they said.
The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) has sought the convenience of Governor Arif Mohammed Khan for Kelu's swearing-in ceremony on Sunday afternoon, sources added.
While there is a clear indication that Kelu will get the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) portfolio, sources said there will be a little alteration in Radhakrishnan's portfolios.
Addressing the media, Kelu said that he does not feel anything special about his roles as they are decided by the party.
"I have been working closely with the SC/ST community and understand the problems they face. Therefore, the effort will be to take forward the party's plans for these communities," he said.
Kelu, a CPI(M) state committee member, said that as Wayanad minister, he will pay special attention to issues like human-animal conflict, a chronic problem in the district.
Kelu, a grassroots-connected leader, was a two-time MLA from Mananthavady constituency.
When he was elected in 2016, his majority was 1,307 votes.
For 2021, the margin increased to 9,282 votes. P K Jayalakshmi, who was also a minister in the Congress-led UDF government, was the main opponent in both the elections.
Born in the Kurichya community, Kelu grew up with a strong connection to the grassroots.
He supported his people through their difficulties, becoming a reliable ally, a party source said.
As MLA, Kelu used his deep knowledge of the region's needs to drive development and progress, the source added.
The 54-year-old CPI(M) leader from the Wayanad tribal community will replace K Radhakrishnan, who resigned as Minister for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Parliamentary Affairs and Devaswom after being elected to the Lok Sabha from the seat of Alathur.
Kelu has been recommended by the CPI(M) state committee for appointment as a minister in the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF ministry, they said.
The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) has sought the convenience of Governor Arif Mohammed Khan for Kelu's swearing-in ceremony on Sunday afternoon, sources added.
While there is a clear indication that Kelu will get the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) portfolio, sources said there will be a little alteration in Radhakrishnan's portfolios.
Addressing the media, Kelu said that he does not feel anything special about his roles as they are decided by the party.
"I have been working closely with the SC/ST community and understand the problems they face. Therefore, the effort will be to take forward the party's plans for these communities," he said.
Kelu, a CPI(M) state committee member, said that as Wayanad minister, he will pay special attention to issues like human-animal conflict, a chronic problem in the district.
Kelu, a grassroots-connected leader, was a two-time MLA from Mananthavady constituency.
When he was elected in 2016, his majority was 1,307 votes.
For 2021, the margin increased to 9,282 votes. P K Jayalakshmi, who was also a minister in the Congress-led UDF government, was the main opponent in both the elections.
Born in the Kurichya community, Kelu grew up with a strong connection to the grassroots.
He supported his people through their difficulties, becoming a reliable ally, a party source said.
As MLA, Kelu used his deep knowledge of the region's needs to drive development and progress, the source added.