Thiruvananthapuram: NCP leader A.K. Saseendran, who was recently acquitted in the phone conversation case, was sworn-in as minister in the state cabinet on Thursday. Governor P. Sathasivam administered the oath of office at a function at Raj Bhavan, which was attended by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his Cabinet colleagues. But the Opposition boycotted the event.
Former minister Thomas Chandy of the NCP was also absent as he is abroad. It may be recalled that his resignation following allegations of land grab had paved the way for Mr Saseendran’s re-entry. Mr Saseendran will be given the transport department, which he was heading earlier. His wife Anitha and son Varun attended the function. Mr Saseendran told reporters after the function that his first priority would be to ensure the regular payment of pensions to the retirees of KSRTC.
The disbursal of salaries will not be disrupted due to financial constraints. He refused to answer questions related to the Opposition protest or the petition in the High Court against his acquittal in the phone conversation case. After the swearing-in, Mr Saseendran went directly to his office where he held discussions with the officers of the transport department about the financial problems faced by the KSRTC.
