V.D. Satheesan
| Photo Credit: ANI
The Chief Minister swept aside reports that he had refused to meet the Kerala Students Union (KSU) leadership in connection with the row over government pleader appointments.
At a post-Cabinet press briefing, Mr. Satheesan said anyone was free to meet him and that his office had not placed any restrictions on it. He said that hundreds of people come to meet him daily in connection with a wide range of issues.
The Chief Minister’s comments came in response to reports that he had refused to meet KSU president Aloshious Xavier amid controversies over the appointment of an individual with alleged past links to the Students Federation of India (SFI) as government pleader.
KSU leaders, including Mr. Xavier, had subsequently met the Chief Minister on Monday. Mr. Satheesan said he listened to their complaint and, on his part, explained the government’s stance on the issue.
On reports that he had not met Mr. Xavier at a July 16 event at the Sacred Heart College, Thevara, he said that he had not noticed the KSU leader in his hurry to attend an inauguration of railway stations by video-conferencing by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Moreover, the Chief Minister’s Office had informed Mr. Xavier that he would be at the Government Guest House, Ernakulam, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day, Mr. Satheesan said.
After the July 15 Cabinet meeting, Mr. Satheesan had dismissed the controversy over the appointment of government pleaders saying that the appointments were made in consultation with the Advocate General and after assessing the competence of the candidates.
CM praises distribution of free meals by DYFI
Mr. Satheesan said the UDF government was not against any organisation distributing meals free of charge at hospitals. The Chief Minister praised the Democratic Youth Federation of India’s (DYFI) daily distribution of free meals to patients and caregivers at government hospitals. “It is a good undertaking for a youth organisation, and others should see it as a model,” the Chief Mnister said, adding that Health Minister K. Muraleedharan had clarified the government stand on the matter.
Published – July 23, 2026 12:21 am IST
