Vishnu Varma

One of the most unbelievable, bizarre crime stories I have reported. From Kalluvathukkal in Kerala, that screamed into headlines in 2000 through a hooch tragedy, comes out a story that shows how boundaries betwn real and unreal on social media can be fuzzy and lethal. Do read.

Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan to preside over as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Shanimol Usman will be deputy speaker.

Final list of council of ministers in VD Satheesan's cabinet in Kerala: 1. Ramesh Chennithala (INC) 2. Sunny Joseph(INC) 3. K Muraleedharan (INC) 4. AP Anil Kumar (INC) 5. Bindu Krishna (INC) 6. PC Vishnunadh (INC) 7. PK Kunhalikutty (IUML) 8. PK Basheer (IUML) 9. M Liju(INC) 10. N Shamsudheen (IUML) 11. T Siddique(INC) 12. KA Thulasi(INC) 13. Roji M John(INC) 14. OJ Janeesh(INC) 15. VE Abdul Gafoor(IUML) 16. KM Shaji (IUML) 17. Mons Joseph (Kerala Congress) 18. CP John (CMP) 19. Shibu Baby John (RSP) 20. Anoop Jacob (KC-Jacob)

Unmissable, on the way to central stadium, where swearing-in is scheduled tomorrow. Put up by the Secretariat employees association.

Preparations underway at the Central Stadium in Trivandrum for the swearing-in of CM VD Satheesan and his council of ministers tomorrow. For the Congress and UDF, it's a big moment and a time to rejoice as it returns to power in Kerala after 10 years.

PC Vishnunadh AP Anil Kumar K Muraleedharan

Congress leaders who are confirmed to have a place in the UDF cabinet, apart from CM VD Satheesan: Ramesh Chennithala M Liju Bindhu Krishna Sunny Joseph

Just in: Ramesh Chennithala all set to join the UDF cabinet, will be given home, vigilance portfolios. He handled the same dept from 2014-16. CM VD Satheesan expected to keep the finance portfolio with him.

ASHA workers, who led a landmark 265-day-long strike last year for hike in their wages and incentives, call on CM-designate VD Satheesan today. The UDF has promised raising monthly honorarium for ASHAs from the current Rs 8000 to Rs 21,000.

@FatherOfThanos Will depend on caste calculations. Being a Nair and with Chennithala, Vishnunadh coming in, Chances are low.

@VishKVarma VT Balram is surely getting a ministry, isn't it?

Ramesh Chennithala, who was upset over not being named CM, had left for Guruvayur to offer prayers without attending the CLP. Today, after his return to TVM, he has met CM-designate VD Satheesan. It's still unclear what role Chennithala would play in the next government.

CM-designate VD Satheesan gets emotional while visiting the home of his late mentor and veteran Cong leader G Karthikeyan. "A CM shouldn't cry like this,' Karthikeyan's wife tells him.

Roles reversed! CM-designate VD Satheesan meeting Pinarayi Vijayan, chosen as the next leader of Opposition in the new Assembly at the latter's rented home in Thiruvananthapuram.

VD Satheesan meets Governor Rajendra Arlekar, stakes claim to form the next govt in Kerala. Swearing-in likely on May 18 (Monday) at the central stadium in Trivandrum.

Have always had frank, insightful conversations with VD Satheesan, the next chief minister of Kerala. The last time we met, he spoke of some personal ideas he has about stopping the youth brain drain and ensuring them jobs within the state. Wishing him success in building a more progressive, pluralistic Kerala.

It has been decided that VD Satheesan be appointed as the leader of the Congress legislature party in Kerala: AICC state-in-charge Deepa Das Munshi. Finally a decision after 10 days.

It's going to be VDS.

One of the most terrifying images in history: a transformation from life to death. Gaza in 2023 and 2026!

കെസി ആണെങ്കിൽ അടി പൊട്ടും. ഉറപ്പു!

CPI(M) workers & leaders are secretly optimistic that they won't have to do the heavy lifting to turn public sentiment against the new govt. The Congress is already doing it for them.

Free rides for women in buses, Rs 3000 monthly welfare pensions, Rs 1000 aid for college-going girls -- are all big promises that would require collective decision-making & tough financial choices to implement. With KIIFB likely to die a slow death, where will the UDF find the money to roll out its promises & take bold reform steps? At the same time, the cabinet must have full faith in the CM and back him to lead the party and the govt when faced with arduous political and ideological situations.

The intense scuffle for the Kerala CM's post & the competing egos of the 3 leaders and their factions underscore how challenging it is going to be for the Congress to run a stable, efficient government, especially with its lofty pre-poll promises and the state's rising public debt.