Chief Minister-designate VD Satheesan meets Governor Arlekar; Congress govt to take oath on May 18th

THIRUVANNATHAPURAM: Chief Minister-designate V.D. Satheesan met Governor Rajendra Arlekar at the Lok Bhavan on Thursday. Satheesan met the Governor after being elected as the parliamentary party leader. He handed over the letter of support from the MLAs to the Governor. Arlekar also invited V.D. Satheesan to form the new government. Although he did not attend the parliamentary party meeting, senior leader Ramesh Chennithala sent a letter expressing his support for Satheesan.

The oath-taking of the UDF government is scheduled for Monday. All ministers from the Congress and its allies will take the oath on the same day. The Congress has proposed that the entire cabinet should take office together. 11 ministers, including the Chief Minister and the Speaker, will be from the Congress. The challenge before the Congress now is the appointment of ministers and the division of portfolios.

Along with giving representation to youth and women, senior leaders should also be considered. A balance should be maintained in communal equations. At the same time, Chennithala, who is protesting against being neglected for the Chief Minister post, should be persuaded. Despite working with discipline, Chennithala is disgruntled over the high command ignoring his seniority criteria.