Saji Cherian will be sworn in on Wednesday, January 4. The government will inform the governor that the oath can be administered on the 4th. Saji Cherian resigned from the ministry on July 6. The state secretariat which met yesterday unanimously decided to reinstate Saji Cherian as minister. The party has given the green light for Saji Cherian’s return after the police filed a report in court after closing the case of insulting the constitution. The state secretariat has assessed that there is no need to delay Saji Cherian’s return to the ministry. The party’s position is that there are no obstacles morally and legally. The chief minister was tasked to decide the date of swearing-in after looking at the governor’s time. Saji Cherian reacted cautiously as the party did not announce the decision. But he did not hide his joy at returning to the ministry as a New Year’s gift.
It is hinted that Saji Cherian will get the portfolios of fisheries, culture and youth welfare on his return. The party has not discussed the work beyond that at present. He resigned from the ministry on July 6 following a controversial speech. Two days later, the police registered a case against Saji Cherian. On the 8th, the police filed a report in the court saying that Saji Cherian did not insult the constitution and only criticized it. The High Court rejected the petition seeking cancellation of the post of MLA. This paved the way for the return. The CPM had assessed that if Saji Cherian had been the minister, problems like the Vizhinjam strike would not have become so bad.
Saji Cheriyan took oath on January 4th