Minister for Local Self-Government and Excise M.V. Govindan's election as State secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has necessitated a reconstitution of the Pinarayi Vijayan Cabinet.
A CPI(M) State secretariat communique on Friday said Mr. Govindan would resign from the Ministry. Instead, Speaker M.B. Rajesh, 51, will swear in as Minister. A.N. Shamseer, 45, will replace Mr. Rajesh as Speaker of the Kerala Assembly.
The communication fuelled speculation that Mr. Rajesh would inherit Mr. Govindran's Cabinet responsibilities.