Sivagiri Mutt seeks more Ezhava, backward community representation in Kerala Cabinet

Thiruvananthapuram: Sivagiri Mutt head Swami Sachidananda on Sunday sought greater representation for MLAs from backward class communities, including the Ezhava community, in the new UDF government’s Cabinet.

He made the remarks after meeting Chief Minister-designate V D Satheesan in Thiruvananthapuram.

The Sivagiri Mutt, founded by Sree Narayana Guru, is a major spiritual centre of the numerically strong Ezhava community in Kerala. It also serves as the headquarters of the Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham, an organisation of disciples and followers of the social reformer.

Sachidananda said he congratulated Satheesan and submitted a memorandum detailing the demands raised by the Mutt.

Demand for ministerial berths

He said nine persons associated with Sree Narayana organisations had won the election under the UDF banner.

"We requested that at least three or four capable among them be made ministers. We hope he will consider it," he said.

According to Sachidananda, a list of candidates seeking seats had been submitted to UDF leaders during the election period, and nine of them later emerged victorious.

"The number of elected members from backward communities has increased, and we are happy about it. There should be guidelines for appointing ministers and their personal staff," he said.

Call for backward classes welfare ministry

Sachidananda also said the Mutt had urged the government to create a separate ministerial portfolio for backward classes welfare.

"There is a Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe department and a minister for it in Kerala. There is a need for a backward classes welfare minister. There are around 42 backward communities in the state, and for their comprehensive development, such a portfolio is necessary. We have conveyed this request," he said.