Thiruvananthapuram: VD Satheesan on Monday dismissed allegations surrounding his recent visit to the Guruvayur Temple, stating that only a small group accompanied him and that he had complied fully with temple regulations.

Addressing the controversy, Satheesan said claims circulating about the visit were “false”, adding that only four people were with him at the temple.

“I know that VIP darshan is not allowed on Sundays. I had taken a ticket for the darshan,” he said.

The Chief Minister also commented on the eviction dispute at Malayidamthuruth, criticising the previous administration for failing to intervene despite repeated actions by authorities.

“The previous government did not take any action on the eviction issue at Malayidamthuruth. Those who never intervened even when authorities came 14 times to evict people are now coming forward,” he said.

Assuring support for residents facing displacement, Satheesan added that the government would not abandon affected families.

“The people there will not be left on the streets. The UDF government does not have an approach of throwing people out onto the streets,” he said.

The remarks came days after Satheesan’s meetings in Delhi with senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, during his first visit to the capital since assuming office.

He also held discussions with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party general secretary K C Venugopal.

Satheesan was sworn in as Kerala’s Chief Minister last week after the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) returned to power following a decade in opposition, securing a decisive victory in the 2026 Assembly elections.

ALSO READ | ‘What’s wrong in appointing Kelkar as CM’s Secretary?’ VD Satheesan defends move

The swearing-in ceremony drew several senior political leaders from across the country, underlining the national significance of the UDF’s victory.

Among those in attendance were Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu.

Former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, former Assembly Speaker A N Shamseer, Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar and CPI leader Binoy Viswam were also present.

Alongside Satheesan, a 20-member Cabinet took oath. The Chief Minister noted that the government formation process had been completed in under 24 hours, describing it as the fastest in Kerala’s history while maintaining regional and social balance in the Cabinet composition.

ALSO READ | Kerala PSC extends validity of rank lists till Nov 30; huge relief for aspirants