Minister Mathew T Thomas resigns

Thiruvananthapuram: State Water Resources Minister Mathew T Thomas today handed over his resignation to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The move follows the decision of the Janata Dal (Secular), one of the constituents of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), to replace its cabinet nominee with Chittur legislator K Krishnankutty.

The JD(S) had last week handed over to Chief Minister a letter from its national president H D Deve Gowda on the party's decision to replace its cabinet nominee Mathew T Thomas.

JD(S) parliamentary party leader C K Nanu had called on Pinarayi at the Kozhikode Guest House on Saturday morning and handed over the letter.

Nanu said the LDF will also be given a letter soon. After his meeting with Pinarayi, Krishnankutty claimed he is joining the Pinarayi cabinet with majority support.

“Majority is most important in democracy,” he said. “Two of the three MLAs in the party are with me. There are no disputes within the party’.

“Loss of a minister's job is saddening for anyone, but it will pass off,” he said in an obvious reference to Thomas.

Nanu said Krishnankutty has always deserved the minister's post. “Krishnankutty had been the party's MLA for the longest period. His name was hence recommended earlier also.

However, the national leadership then preferred Mathew T Thomas.

Nanu had asserted there were are no groups favouring either Krishnankutty or Thomas within the party.

The swearing in ceremony will be held on Tuesday.