People's Democracy

Left Ministries Sworn In Amidst Enthusiasm

A view of the crowds gathered to witness the swearing-in-ceremony of LDF govt in Thiruvananthapuram

A GREAT deal of dedication, zeal, and fervour marked the swearing-in ceremony of the seventh Bengal Left Front government. The event took place at an open shamiana at the Raj Bhavan state governor on May 18, 2006.

Taking the oath were all 44 ministers of the cabinet including chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. Among them included 11 ministers-of-state. The oath was administered by governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi and among those present included CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat, Polit Bureau members Jyoti Basu, Biman Basu, Sitaram Yechury, Brinda Karat, Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar, Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee, former finance minister of the state, Ashok Mitra and other prominent figures of various fields.

In Kerala, it was a day of delight and enthusiasm for tens of thousands of people who gathered in and around central stadium and for entire Kerala. The swearing-in-ceremony of the 19-member Left Democratic Front government in Kerala on May 18, 2006, headed by CPI(M) Polit Bureau member V S Achuthanandan was celebrated by people of the state. The capital city never witnessed such a huge crowd in connection with swearing-in ceremony of a government. People from all walks of life reached Thiruvananthapuram to witness the historic moment.

The ceremony was conducted in the central stadium, behind the Secretariat. This was the first time in the history of Kerala that a government assumed office outside Raj Bhavan. The state governor R L Bhatia administered the oath of office. The chief minister designate and his collegues from CPI(M) and CPI reached the venue after paying tributes at Punnapra-Vayalar Martyrs column.