The Hindu : Kerala News : Ebrahim Kunju sworn in

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Friday, Jan 07, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

Ebrahim Kunju sworn in

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JAN. 6. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MLA, P. K. Ebrahim Kunju, was today sworn in Minister in the Oommen Chandy Cabinet replacing his senior party colleague, P.K. Kunhalikutty, who was allegedly involved in the Kozhikode ice-cream parlour sex scandal.

At a brief but heavily attended ceremony at the Raj Bhavan today, the Governor, R.L. Bhatia, administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Ebrahim Kunju, thereby formalising his entry into the Cabinet. The Raj Bhavan lawn filled with vehicles and the small auditorium, where the swearing in took place, crowded with party leaders and IUML workers; well before the swearing-in ceremony began. Seldom in the past has such a large number of people gathered at the Raj Bhavan for the induction of a single minister.

On hand to greet the minister-designate were the former Chief Minister A.K. Antony; the Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy; the IUML State president, Panakkad Syed Mohammed Ali Shihab Thangal; Mr. Kunhalikutty; Ministers and leaders of various UDF constituents. The Opposition leaders were conspicuous by their absence. Only two Opposition MLAs, Raju Abraham and Saju Paul, both of the CPI(M), could be spotted in the crowd.

As soon as the swearing-in ceremony was over, a large number of Mr. Ebrahim Kunju's supporters and party colleagues rushed on to the stage to greet him.

At least one poster with a larger-than-life image of Mr. Ebrahim Kunju was on view inside the hall even as the swearing-in ceremony was in progress.

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