Chandy puts lid on row over Minister's meeting with Modi

Thiruvananthapuram, April 24: Sticking to his stand that Narendra Modi's development model is not acceptable to Kerala, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on April 23, however, sought to put a lid on the controversy sparked by one of his Cabinet colleagues' recent meeting with the Gujarat Chief Minister.

Chandy said he was satisfied with the explanation given by Labour Minister Shibu Baby John of RSP-B, a minor component of the UDF.

"The controversy was the result of a misconception. Shibu had gone there for attending a function of National Institute of Design and it was the Gujarat Labour Minister who took him to Modi," Chandy told reporters.

Interestingly, the controversy erupted when Modi is slated to be in Kerala tomorrow to attend a function organised by Sree Narayana Mutt at Varkala near here.

Congress leaders, including Union Minister Vayalar Ravi, had criticised Shibu for meeting Modi and Chandy sought an explanation from his cabinet colleague.

John himself later admitted that he should have avoided that meeting considering the political sensitivity involved.

Meanwhile, the Left had attacked the Mutt authorities for inviting the BJP leader for inauguration of the golden jubilee of the Sree Narayana Dharma Meemamsa Parishad at the Mutt, founded by saint-reformer Sree Narayana Guru, who preached the message of "one caste, one religion and one God for humanity."

Meanwhile, state Home Minister Thiruvanchur Radhakrishnan said the state would provide foolproof security for Modi during his visit.

PTI