Communist Party of India (Marxist)[CPI(M)] K Radhakrishnan, a leader from the tribal community in Wayanad or Kelo, is slated to take over as Minister for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes Welfare, who was elected Member of Parliament from Alaathar in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. . 54-year-old Keelo is the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Mananthwadi.
Radhakrishnan was Minister for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes, Parliamentary Affairs and Devaswom Welfare.
However, OR Kelo is not given the portfolio of Devaswom, which has been taken up.
Speaking to Reporter TV, a Malayalam news channel or Kelo responded to the criticism by saying: “I am entering the ministry for the first time, and I am more aware of the issues related to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes because I have worked in this area. So when it comes to Devaswom ministry, it is better if someone with more experience handles it too
According to reports, the Kerala Chief Minister's office has sought the facility of Governor Arif Muhammad Khan for the swearing-in ceremony of Kelo on Sunday afternoon. Additionally, the department of Devaswom will be given to Cooperation Minister VN Vaswan and Parliamentary Affairs has been transferred to Excise Minister MB Rajesh.
In 2021, when the second LDF government led by Pinarayi Vijayan handed over the Devaswom ministry to Radhakrishnan, it was hailed as a historic decision, as a Dalit minister was going to take over the department.
In September 2023, Radhakrishnan spoke about the caste discrimination he faced at a temple owned by the Malabar Devaswom Board in Kannur, even as a minister in the Devaswom. It became a huge debate about internal casteism in the state.
Before submitting his resignation, the last order Radhakrishnan signed was to stop using the word 'colony' to describe Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe settlements in official records.