A 19-member ministry of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) under CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan was sworn in under overcast skies here on Wednesday.

Governor P Sathasivam administered the oath of office to Vijayan and 12 of his party colleagues, as also four from the CPI, and one each from the Janata Dal (S), the Congress (S) and the NCP.

Thousands thronged the Central Stadium for the ceremony, the second time it was being held outside the Raj Bhavan. The previous LDF government under VS Achuthanandan had also taken office at the same venue in 2006.

Achuthanandan himself was among the attendees, a significant presence given that his claim for chief ministership this time round did not have many takers within the party or the LDF.

Chief Minister-designate Vijayan had created ripples when he drove down — for the first time in decades of mutual rivalry — to Achuthanandan’s house, to personally invite the nonagenarian for the ceremony. That signalled an apparent thawing of relations between the two, and was reciprocated by Achuthanandan when he took to the social media to greet Vijayan ahead of his swearing-in.

Notable presences Another special guest at the swearing-in was O Rajagopal of the BJP, who opened the account for his party in the State Assembly by winning the Nemom seat in Thiruvananthapuram. It was for the first time that the BJP made it to the swearing-in ceremony of any government in the State.

KR Gouri, the only surviving member of the State’s first ministry who was expelled from the CPI(M) 21 years ago, was also in attendance, notwithstanding her age.

A large number of other guests, including members of the outgoing Oommen Chandy government, as also religious and cultural figures, were present.

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