Thomas Unniyadan named new Chief Whip

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Congress (M) has named Irinjalakkuda MLA Thomas Unniyadan as the UDF government’s new Chief Whip, a post that fell vacant after the exit of P C George.

Announcing Unniyadan’s name on Thursday, party chairman K M Mani said he would officially inform Chief Minister Oommen Chandy about the party decision soon.

The names of party deputy chairman and senior MLA C F Thomas, and N Jayaraj were being weighed for the post, along with that of Thomas Unniyadan, who was the frontrunner. He had also come forward to take up the responsibility if the party directed him to do so, while Thomas, who represents Changanassery Assembly segment, was reluctant to accept the post.

K M Mani had held consultations with party working chairman and Water Resources Minister P J Joseph on Wednesday evening on the new choice.

Unniyadan is representing Irinjalakuda segment in the Assembly since 2001. A lawyer and a native of Vaikom, he is a former president of the Youth Front.