Pinarayi takes oath today: LDF austerity drive – Ministers’ houses won’t be refurbished

CM-designate Pinarayi Vijayan, meanwhile, said that his government will act strongly against corruption in the state.

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Claiming that the mandate was against price rise and corruption, Vijayan said: “Beware of those who approach you claiming to be close to me. That is also another method of corruption…We would try to take up tasks according to the expectations of the people. There will be strong action against criminals roaming freely in the state. Those who do not deliver in their duties will have to face the music.’

The 19-member LDF cabinet, led by Vijayan, will assume office Wednesday.

Vijayan added that his government will work with everyone irrespective of political differences. “The days of election rivalry are gone. The government belongs to everyone. What we need is a combined effort for the state’s development,’’ he said.

Accusing Union ministers of unleashing baseless allegations against the LDF, he said that BJP chief Amit Shah was upset over the party’s setback in Kerala. He added that it was unbecoming of Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to say that the BJP would confront the CPM in the streets.

Later in Alappuzha, Vijayan met his former party colleague K R Gouriyamma, who was sacked from the party in 1994.