Thiruvananatapuram (Keralam) [India], May 21 (ANI): Celebrating the return of the United Democratic Front (UDF) to power in Keralam, Congress MP Jebi Mather on Thursday said that the newly elected legislators are fully prepared to focus entirely on public welfare, adding that the people of the state were eagerly anticipating this administrative transition.

Speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, Mather expressed satisfaction over the commencement of the new legislative team's functioning following the front's recent electoral victory in the state.

'103 UDF MLAs and other legislators are set to be sworn in today. It's a matter of great joy that the new team is fully prepared for the welfare of the state. People were eagerly waiting for this,' Mather said.

Meanwhile, the 16th Kerala Legislative Assembly has been summoned to meet for its first sitting at 9 am on May 21.

Pro tem Speaker G Sudhakaran will administer the oath to the newly elected MLAs, including Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan, in the Kerala Assembly on Thursday. The House will reconvene on May 22 for the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

Notably, Senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan has been designated as the UDF's nominee for the Speaker's chair. He will succeed outgoing Speaker AN Shamseer. Shanimol Usman, who was elected from the Aroor constituency, is slated to take over as the Deputy Speaker.

Furthermore, shifting her focus to national politics, the Congress leader launched a blistering attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). She asserted that Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi remains completely unfazed by the ideological attacks of the right-wing organisation.

Furthermore, the Congress leader also launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), asserting that Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi remains completely unfazed by ideological criticism.

'The whole country knows that Rahul Gandhi is not afraid of the RSS,' the Rajya Sabha MP stated firmly.

Taking a direct swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mather accused him of hypocrisy over governance-related advisories, pointing to a contradiction between his public appeals and personal conduct.

'The Prime Minister asks people to work from home and says everyone should travel less, but he himself is travelling,' Mather remarked, taking a dig at the Prime Minister's extensive overseas tours and regional visits.

Petrol and diesel prices were recently increased across the country for the second time in less than a week. In Delhi, petrol prices rose by 87 paise to Rs 98.64 per litre, while diesel prices increased by 91 paise to Rs 91.58 per litre.

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi had appealed to citizens to contribute towards economic resilience by reducing dependence on imported fuel and adopting environmentally sustainable alternatives, including greater use of public transport, carpooling and electric vehicles.

The Congress leader alleged that the country was heading towards a major economic crisis due to rising fuel prices and global tensions, which he said would adversely impact farmers and the common man.

PM Modi recently concluded a five-country official tour covering the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy, during which India and Italy elevated their bilateral ties to a 'Special Strategic Partnership.' (ANI)