Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday congratulated Alphons Kannanthanam who was sworn in Minister of State (independent charge) for Tourism, Electronics, and Information Technology.
Terming Mr. Kannanthanam a long-time friend, Mr. Vijayan said the new assignment came as “a perfect Onam gift” for him. “I wish him all the best and hope that along with his national-level responsibilities, he will also be a voice for Kerala in the Cabinet. Parallel efforts from both the Centre and the State will ensure development of Kerala,” the Chief Minister said and hoped that Mr. Kannanthanam would work towards this goal.
Bharatiya Janata Party State president Kummanam Rajasekharan said the induction of Mr. Kannanthanam as Minister was the Modi government’s Onam gift to Keralites.
He was confident that Mr. Kannanthanam, as a representative of the State, would find solutions to the varied problems faced by the people of the State.
Mr. Rajasekharan said Mr. Kannanthanam had joined the BJP after being disillusioned with the alternate rule by the Left Democratic Front and the United Democratic Front. He was sure that the new incumbent would contribute to Kerala’s development.
BJP legislator O. Rajagopal, who was once the lone representative of Kerala in the Vajpayee government in the early 2000s, welcomed Mr. Kannanthanam’s induction as Minister.
