Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Thursday moved into Cliff House, the official residence of the Kerala Chief Minister, after renovation and maintenance work at the premises was largely completed.

A simple housewarming ceremony was held at 6 a.m. at the residence, located in Nanthancode in the state capital.

Since Kerala's formation in 1957, Cliff House has remained the preferred official residence of most Chief Ministers, a tradition that began when E. M. S. Namboodiripad selected it over Ross House because of its advantageous location.

Although former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had vacated Cliff House earlier, following the change of government, Satheesan had postponed shifting to the official residence due to ongoing renovation and maintenance work being carried out by the Public Works Department.

During the interim period, Satheesan continued to stay at Cantonment House, the official residence allotted to the Leader of the Opposition. As a result, the current Leader of the Opposition, Pinarayi Vijayan, was unable to move into Cantonment House, a matter on which he had publicly expressed dissatisfaction.

Spread across nearly 10,000 square feet on more than six acres of land in Nanthancode, Cliff House is one of the most prominent official residences in the state. The Public Works Department had undertaken renovation and maintenance works at the property ahead of the Chief Minister's move.