Chandy receives PM Modi in Kochi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Kochi Naval Base here on Monday a two-day trip to Kerala. The Prime Minister was received by Kerala Governor P Sathasivam and Chief Minister Oomen Chandy.

"Looking forward to visiting 'God's Own Country', the beautiful #Kerala for a 2-day visit. Will be in Thrissur, Kochi, Kollam & Varkala," Prime Minister Modi tweeted before leaving for Kochi.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will address Combined Commanders' Conference on INS Vikramaditya tomorrow. He will also meet Sree Narayana Guru at the Sivagiri Mutt.

"Will pay respects to Sree Narayana Guru at Sivagiri Mutt. Who can forget Sree Narayana Guru's great contribution to education& social reform," Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

"In Thrissur I will address a @BJP4India meeting this evening. I will interact with our Karyakartas & leaders in Kerala during the meeting," he added.

On Tuesday, he will unveil a statue of former Chief Minister R Shankar at a Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) programme in Kollam.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Government had earlier drawn flak from Congress after Kerala Chief Minister Chandy was asked to keep off the SNDP event.

The Kerala Chief Minister had, however, said that he would give a 'ceremonial welcome' to the Prime Minister to uphold democratic values.

Meanwhile, the government today clarified that Prime Minister's Office has no role in excluding Chandy's name. Replying to a point raised by Congress leader K C Venugopal, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said centre does not want any confrontation with any state.

Rajnath said the Congress leader's allegation is completely baseless and without any facts. The Home minister said the socio cultural organisation Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) has unanimously passed a resolution not to invite the chief minister.