Event Held at Cochin International Airport; UDF Observes "Black Day" in Protest
Kochi, May 20 — Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government marked the fourth anniversary of their second term in office with a subdued ceremony at Cochin International Airport on Tuesday.The occasion also signified a historic milestone for Vijayan, who completed nine years in the top post, making him the first chief minister in the state to serve two consecutive terms.
A simple cake-cutting ceremony was held in the airport lounge, attended by several key ministers from the LDF coalition parties. The gathering included Roshy Augustine, K.B. Ganesh Kumar, K Krishnankutty, K Rajan, and Kadannappally Ramachandran. Industries Minister P Rajeev, a CPI(M) leader from Ernakulam, also took part in the event.
Notably absent from the event was Forest Minister A K Saseendran of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
While the LDF marked the day with a quiet celebration, the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) observed it as a "Black Day", using the opportunity to criticise the government over a range of issues.
Pinarayi Vijayan, a senior leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), first assumed office as Kerala's chief minister in May 2016. He was re-elected for a second term in 2021, leading the LDF to a significant electoral victory.
