Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 2, in what is termed to be a preliminary meeting between the two.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) confirmed the appointment date and time, sought by the Chief Minister, who could not make it to the swearing-in ceremony of the Union Ministry. According to top government sources, Mr. Chandy would confine his first meeting with the Prime Minister to renew his acquaintance, rather than presenting an official memorandum listing out Kerala’s demands. The Chief Minister, who would be accompanied by some senior officials, would nevertheless utilise the meeting to share with Mr. Modi some of the State’s aspirations.
Mr. Modi had announced a 10-point agenda for the country’s economic turnaround. Government sources said Mr. Chandy would most probably present a few of Kerala’s development projects to be included in the 10-point programme. The meeting is scheduled to be held at 11 a.m. on Monday.
Mr. Chandy is scheduled to meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi, vice-president Rahul Gandhi, and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The proposed meeting has triggered speculation of sorts that Mr. Chandy might push for a Cabinet revamp. However, the Chief Minister has held all cards close to his chest, refusing to reveal his mind on the issue. The Kerala Congress(B), a minor coalition partner, has been clamouring for the inclusion of its sole MLA, K.B. Ganesh Kumar, in Chandy’s Cabinet. Mr. Ganesh Kumar was formerly Forest Minister, but had to quit office following problems with his wife, Yamini Thankachi.
The UDF at its meeting the other day, entrusted the Chief Minister to take an appropriate decision on the issue. Mr. Chandy might seek the high command’s clearance. It would also require discussions with Congress leaders in the State, some of whom do not favour the idea.
