Kerala (Keralam) Chief Minister-designate V D Satheesan met senior Congress leader K C Venugopal on Saturday at his residence, hence busting the rumours of differences between them. It is learnt that the discussion on cabinet formation continued. Later, both leaders addressed the media together, stressing unity within the party.
Differences of opinion were natural in a political party, Venugopal said, adding that the people in Kerala had high expectations from the UDF government and that the priority would be to address issues affecting the poor and ordinary people.
Venugopal, who did not contest the Assembly election, was reportedly backed by several MLAs for the CM's post.
“If anyone even touches this body, it has Congress blood. Congress means everything to us. Once the party takes a decision, our aim is to stand firmly by it and fight for it. As a Congressman, it is my responsibility to extend full support to him while he carries out that mission,” Venugopal said.
He also said he shared a long-standing personal and political relationship with Satheesan.
“The party is the thread that binds everything together. Whatever differences of opinion may exist, the one force that unites all of us is the Indian National Congress,” he said.
Satheesan, for his part, dismissed reports of any rift and said discussions on cabinet formation were progressing smoothly. He noted that Venugopal, as AICC general secretary, plays a key role in forwarding the list of ministers from Kerala to the national leadership for approval.
“We do everything after consulting each other. Organisational matters in Kerala and cabinet-related issues are discussed and decided jointly. There is no issue that cannot be resolved if we sit together for 10 or 15 minutes. Sometimes he may be right, and sometimes I may be right. We correct each other mutually,” he added.
He said the Congress and UDF leadership were capable of taking quick decisions through consultations, pointing to the swift finalisation of arrangements for Monday’s swearing-in ceremony of the CM and ministers.
Satheesan said the list of ministers would be submitted to the governor by Sunday afternoon while stressing that the focus should now shift to governance and public issues in Kerala, noting that the Congress follows a democratic decision-making process.
Venugopal, the Alappuzha MP, received Satheesan, and the two held separate discussions in the living room for over 45 minutes. Several Congress leaders and newly elected MLAs were also there at Venugopal’s residence. Satheesan also met senior leader Ramesh Chennithala, who was in the race for the CM’s post, before visiting Venugopal. This was his second meeting with Chennithala in two days as part of efforts to persuade him to join the cabinet following differences over the CM’s post.
Chennithala had skipped the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting after the AICC announcement and instead visited the Guruvayur Temple. He has not yet indicated whether he will join the cabinet.
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