Thomas Chandy to be new minister in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: Thomas Chandy, NCP MLA from Kuttanad, will be the new minister in the CPI(M)-led LDF ministry in Kerala, in place of A K Saseendran, who resigned as transport minister following allegations of a sleazy telephone conversation with a woman.

The decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) here today.

The swearing-in of Chandy will be held at 4 PM here tomorrow, NCP Kerala unit President Uzhavoor Vijayan said.

The three-time MLA is a prominent businessman and is said to the richest member of the state assembly with schools and resorts.

Saseendran had resigned on March 26 after a purported audio clip of him speaking in 'sexual undertones' to a woman emerged.

The audio clip was released by a Malayalam television channel.