Satheesan meets Cardinal Cleemis ahead of swearing-in
KERALA Chief Minister-designate V D Satheesan met Cardinal Baselios Cleemis at the Bishop House in Pattom here on Sunday. Satheesan has been meeting various prominent personalities since the AICC announced him as the next chief minister of the state. Cleemis is the head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.
Satheesan was received by Cleemis at the entrance of the Bishop's House. After a brief interaction with clerics, he accompanied Cleemis to the dining room, where they held discussions after being served tea. After spending around 30 minutes, they met the reporters together.
Cleemis congratulated Satheesan and wished him success in leading the state. When asked whether minority issues were discussed during the meeting, Cleemis said no such discussions were held as Satheesan is yet to be sworn in as the CM.
"We strongly believe that the government under him will respect all communities in the state," he said. He added that respecting all communities and pursuing development-oriented initiatives are crucial for the state, and the Church would support him in this regard.
Cleemis said that after being named chief minister, Satheesan had described it as "God's wish".
"We also believe it so," he said. Satheesan did not take questions from reporters and left the Bishop House for the KPCC office, where final discussions with UDF allies on the allocation of ministerial portfolios are underway. Satheesan and his full Cabinet will be sworn in at Thiruvananthapuram on Monday.
