Kerala CM-designate VD Satheesan visits Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple after meeting Governor | WATCH

Thiruvananthapuram: VD Satheesan offered prayers at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple on Friday after meeting Rajendra Arlekar and formally staking his claim to form the government.

The designated Chief Minister visited the temple shortly after his meeting with the Governor in Thiruvananthapuram.

Satheesan was earlier declared the leader of the Congress Legislative Party, bringing to an end eleven days of uncertainty and marathon discussions within the party. Following the announcement, he met the Governor to stake his claim to form the next government in Kerala.

Satheesan is scheduled to be sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Kerala on 18 May. Reports indicate that a 20-member Council of Ministers will also take the oath of office on the same day.

The swearing-in ceremony will be held at Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.

Addressing queries regarding the new Cabinet formation, Satheesan stated that the inclusion of Chandy Oommen would be a collective decision. He further informed that a final decision regarding the swearing-in ceremony and whether the Cabinet would take the oath together is expected to be finalised tomorrow.

"The golden phase of my political life was from 2006 to 2011. When Oommen Chandy became Leader of the Opposition, he gave me opportunities to present adjournment motions in the Assembly. My biggest regret is not that I never became a minister, but that I could not become a minister in Oommen Chandy's Cabinet. Even if someone criticised him in the CLP, he would act on complaints. I prayed before Oommen Chandy's photograph... I will meet Pinarayi Vijayan. I tried to contact him over the phone today, but it did not happen... I will definitely speak to Ramesh Chennithala as well... Whether Chandy Oommen will be part of the Cabinet will be decided collectively... A decision on taking the oath together will be made tomorrow," Satheesan told the media.

"Other Chief Ministers, including Vijay, are being invited by the national leadership," the Congress leader said.

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