THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Indian Union Muslim League’s (IUML’s) fifth minister Manjalamkuzhi Ali and Kerala Congress Jacob faction’s lone nominee Anoop Jacob were sworn in as ministers in the UDF-led Oommen Chandy Government here on Thursday.Governor H R Bharadwaj administered the oath of office and secrecy to the first- time ministers, at a simple ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan grounds. Anoop Jacob took the oath of office and secrecy in the name of God and Manjalamkuzhi Ali, who was called second, took the same in the name of Allah. The swearing-in ceremony of the two ministers, with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on the dais, was over in less than ten minutes. Later, ministers in the cabinet joined to greet the new entrants.Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan and former minister Jose Thettayil were the only leaders from the LDF who attended the function. Power Minister Aryadan Mohammed and Forest Minister K B Ganesh Kumar were conspicuous by their absence and prominent Congress leader V M Sudheeran and MLAs K Muraleedharan, V D Satheesan and T N Prathapan were also choose to stay away from the function. Union Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed, IUML state general secretary K P A Majeed, Shashi Tharoor MP and UDF MLAs were also present on the occasion. Family members of Anoop Jacob,including mother Daisy, wife Anna and sister Ambili and other close relatives, were witness to the auspicious moment. Manjalamkuzhi Ali had also a big group of family members to bless him in his new responsibility. Anoop reached the Raj Bhavan after special prayers along with family members at St Peter’s Jacobite Cathedral here. Ali moved to take up the assignment after staying in a premium hotel.
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