Friday, May 19 2006 12:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI(M) veteran V S Achuthanandan was today sworn in as the Chief Minister of Kerala at the head of a 19-member Left Democratic Front Ministry, marking his debut as an administrator.

Governor R L Bhatia administered the oath of office and secrecy to Achuthanandan and his colleagues at a ceremony at the Central stadium where a huge crowd cheered and applauded as the new Chief Minister and his took oath.

The Ministry has 12 nominees, including the Chief Minister, from lead partner CPI-M, four from CPI, one each from RSP, Janata Dal (Secular) and Kerala Congress.

Deviating from normal practice of accommodating all the coalition constituents in the cabinet, single-legislator parties NCP, Congress-S and Kerala Congress (Secular) were not given ministerial berths.

A striking feature of the Ministry is that 16 members of the cabinet, including the Chief Minister, are first timers in government.

As per the understanding reached among the Front partners yesterday, CPI-M would get key portfolios including Home, Finance, Industries, Education, power, Health,Tourism and Local Self Government.

The Home portfolio, held by Chief Ministers in the last two decades, would this time go to CPI-M's Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. Achuthanandan would hold General Administration and allied subjects.