Former agricultural labourer Moni sworn in as Kerala minister

CPI-M leader M.M. Moni, a first time legislator, was sworn in as a minister in the cabinet of Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday by Governor P. Sathasivam.

Popularly called 'Moni Asan', the former agricultural labourer started off as a farm worker at the age of 10.

He joined the Communist Party of India (CPI) before it split in 1964. Joining the CPI-M after this, he has been one of it's most popular faces in Idukki.

He served as District Secretary in Idukki for more than two decades and is presently a member of the State Secretariat of the party.

His biggest foe is his razor sharp tongue, which has landed him in trouble numerous times.

In 2012, while speaking at a public meeting in his home town, he said their party has a habit of killing its enemies and listed four murders committed by his partymen, starting in the 80s.

Following this, the then Oommen Chandy government registered a case against him and Moni was arrested. The case is still going on.

Talking to reporters here, his wife and one of his daughters said they do not expect him to change his style or behaviour and want him to remain what he is.

After the swearing in, which was attended by hundreds who came from his Idukki district, he drove to his office in the State Secretariat and will receive the electricity portfolio.

--IANS

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