Thiruvananthapuram, 17 May (H.S.):With the V.D. Satheesan-led government set to assume office on Monday, a protocol-related issue has emerged ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, after Raj Bhavan issued instructions restricting who may be present on the stage during the event at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
According to directions from the Governor’s office, only the Chief Minister-designate, ministers taking oath, the Chief Secretary, and the Governor will be permitted on the main stage during the ceremony. The communication reportedly specified that no other individuals, including political leaders and invited dignitaries, would be allowed on the dais.
The instruction came after the state protocol office informed Raj Bhavan that several high-profile guests, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Chief Ministers from other states, had been invited to attend the ceremony. Sources said the Governor’s office subsequently reiterated that decisions regarding stage access for the swearing-in function fall under its authority and would be governed by established protocol norms.
The United Democratic Front (UDF), which is preparing for a large-scale public event to mark the transfer of power in Kerala, has invited a number of national and regional political leaders in an effort to give the ceremony a broader political and public profile.
However, the restrictions imposed by Raj Bhavan have triggered criticism within Congress circles. Party leaders are reportedly questioning why such limitations are being enforced in Kerala while similar events in other states have followed different practices.
Congress leaders pointed to swearing-in ceremonies held in states such as West Bengal and Assam, where senior BJP leaders and Union ministers were reportedly present during the proceedings. They also cited instances where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended oath-taking ceremonies of BJP governments.
The issue has also drawn comparisons with recent events in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, where Rahul Gandhi attended the swearing-in ceremony of the TVK government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. Political sources indicated that Raj Bhavan had expressed reservations over certain developments following that event and had suggested adherence to a more structured protocol model for Kerala.
The development has now added a fresh political dimension to the final hours before the new Kerala government formally takes office.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
