Kerala CM-designate talks tough on influence peddling, graft

Thiruvananthapuram, May 24  CPI-M leader and Kerala chief minister-designate Pinarayi Vijayan said on Tuesday that his government will have no place for influence peddling and graft.

Even before assuming office, "some people have started to move around using my name," Vijayan said at a press conference.

"I have been told that someone who is right now in Hyderabad claims I have sent him there. I will not reveal who it is but through this statement he will know that," he said.

"The people of Kerala should be careful of such people and corruption will not be tolerated at any level," said Vijayan who is set to be sworn in on Wednesday along with 18 other ministers.

He said all necessary scrutiny would be carried out before appointing the staff members of the ministers to make sure only clean people get placed. 

He said a new chapter would begin in the history of Kerala on Wednesday when another new Left government would assume office.

"We will ensure that we will be a government that will work for the betterment of the people and it would have to be devoid of any preference given for caste, creed or communities; instead it will be one for all the people," said Vijayan. 

Laddoos were distributed before the start of Vijayan's press conference, which he explained -- to reporters' surprise -- was on account of his birthday. 

Kerala legislature records show March 21 to be his date of birth. 

Vijayan said records show March 21 to be his official date of birth, but it was on May 24 that he was born.