Thalassery (Kerala), June 4 (IANS): It was a hero's welcome that new Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan received at his home town near here on Saturday morning.

This was the first visit that Vijayan made to his home town after being sworn in as the new Chief Minister of the state on May 25.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) swept the May 16 assembly polls winning 91 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly.

Vijayan arrived at the railway station here along with his wife on Saturday morning and was received by virtually the Who's Who of the CPI-M in Kannur district.

At a civic reception Vijayan assured that the people's interest will be taken care of.

"Over the years, I have been 'decorated' with lots of titles, but the people who are competent enough to choose between what's right and wrong, know everything. I assure that the people's interest will never be compromised," said Vijayan.

Incidentally, it was in 1996 that a person from north Kerala became the Chief Minister of the state when CPI-M veteran E.K. Nayanar was sworn in to the top post.