CPI(MP) leader and MLA Veena George will most likely be replacing KK Shailaja as the new health minister of Kerala, reports suggested on Wednesday, 19 May.
On 18 May, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Pinarayi Vijayan selected his cabinet, but dropped Shailaja, the face of Kerala’s fight against Nipah and COVID-19 during her stint as health minister. Instead, she will be appointed as the party’s whip.
Her replacement, George, has been a journalist and news anchor in various Malayalam news channels.
The 21-member Kerala Cabinet will take oath on Thursday, 20 May.
The first-time MLA from Beypore seat and CM Vijayan's son-in-law PA Mohammed Riyas will be the minister for Public Works Department (PWD), while KN Balagopal is the new Finance minister.
Meanwhile, another woman legislator R Bindu is set to be Kerala's new higher education minister.