Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 8 (IANS) While T.U. Kuruvilla, a first-time legislator, was named Monday to succeed P.J. Joseph as Kerala's public works minister, his name is yet to be cleared by the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF).

"Kuruvilla's name was given to me by the outgoing minister. Now it has to be cleared by the LDF which is meeting tomorrow," Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan told reporters here Friday.

Kuruvilla is alleged to be involved in a corruption scandal when he was the chairman of the Kerala State Housing Board, an autonomous body, in 1996-2001.

He and Joseph, who was minister of housing during the period, are facing probes by an assembly committee investigating the Rs.4.3 billion housing scam.

Kuruvilla, who represents Kothamangalam in Ernakulam district, belongs to the Kerala Congress (Joseph), which has four members in the assembly.

Joseph quit the cabinet following allegations that he misbehaved with a woman passenger during a flight last month.