Kerala’s first shadow cabinet took oath on Saturday, reported The New Indian Express. The cabinet is led by an advocate, Asha.

A shadow cabinet is an alternative cabinet formed with the aim of monitoring government decisions. Often the Opposition comprises a shadow cabinet, but in this case, the Congress and all other political parties have been left out of it and it is made up of members of the public, including several associated with social work and non-governmental organisations. The United Kingdom is one of several countries that have shadow cabinets, but there too, the cabinet is made up of members of Opposition parties.

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Besides Chief Minister Asha, there were 16 other ministers who took oath in Kochi, the English daily reported. They were sworn-in by Dalit activist Prakash Ambedkar. Jayshree Chantharath is the revenue minister, Anil EP will head finance, and John PT is agriculture minister.

Here are the other ministers and their portfolios:

  • Magline Philomina: Fisheries 
  • Babu Paul: Tourism, corporation and dewasom
  • Mini K: Caste matters and law
  • Silvi Sunil: Transport
  • Prem Kumar TR: Water resources
  • Lekha Kavalam: Forest
  • Surendra PN: Health and social justice
  • Adheena Sunder: Public works department
  • Major Anish: Industries
  • Faisal Faizu: Civil supplies
  • Shyjan Joseph: Local self government
  • Vincent Maliackal: Excise
  • Anil Jose: Education

Anil Jose, co-ordinator of the shadow cabinet project, said that its members would represent every section of society. “There would reservation for the women. Even transgenders will also be represented,” The New Indian Express quoted him as saying.

The shadow cabinet’s chief minister said their aim is not to be against the government. “The intention of the shadow cabinet is to strengthen the government. We want a responsible government,” Asha said. “Through social auditing and studies, we can help the government”.