Kerala Assembly Oath Ceremony Reflects Diversity, Simplicity, and Political Culture

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The swearing-in ceremony of members of the 16th Kerala Legislative Assembly on Thursday turned into more than just a constitutional formality, reflecting the state’s diversity, simplicity and distinct political culture. Legislators not only chose different languages for taking oath but also differed in whether they swore in the name of God or made a solemn affirmation. A total of 42 MLAs opted for solemn affirmation, including all legislators from the CPI(M) and CPI. Congress MLAs V T Balram and Sumesh Achuthan, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) leaders Shibu Baby John and Vishnu Mohan, and Revolutionary Marxist Party of India (RMP) MLA K K Rema also chose the same route. They were joined by Govindan, Kunhikrishnan and Communist Marxist Party Kerala State Committee (CMP KSC) legislator C P John. The remaining MLAs, including the three BJP legislators and one MLA from the LDF ally Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), took oath in the name of God. While some newly elected MLAs walked to the Assembly or arrived on bicycles, others took oath in different languages and in the name of God or through solemn affirmation, adding a personal touch to the proceedings. The day also witnessed political rivals setting aside the bitterness of the election campaign, as leaders exchanged greetings and smiles after the ceremony, creating a rare atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie inside the Assembly. The swearing-in ceremony also saw chief minister V D Satheesan brushing aside recent criticism on social media and from sections within the Congress over his mention of his caste while taking oath as chief minister earlier this week. While taking oath as an MLA on Thursday, Satheesan once again used his full name — Vadasseri Damodara Menon Satheesan — just as he had done during his swearing-in as chief minister on Monday. Responding to the criticism, Satheesan on Wednesday defended his use of the caste surname during a press conference held after a Cabinet meeting. He said he had merely mentioned his father’s name while taking oath and saw nothing inappropriate in doing so on such an occasion. The swearing-in ceremony also witnessed a symbolic moment when Pro-tem Speaker G Sudhakaran rose from his seat and walked a few steps to congratulate Pinarayi Vijayan after the latter took oath and approached the dais. The gesture drew attention as the two leaders had traded sharp remarks during the election campaign after Sudhakaran declined to renew his CPI(M) membership and contested from the Ambalapuzha constituency as a UDF-backed independent candidate. Despite their recent political differences, the two greeted each other warmly and shook hands, appearing to put aside past bitterness.(With agency inputs)