Kerala CM meets Governor, apprises him of Sabarimala situation

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Thursday met Governor P Sathasivam and briefed him about the issues relating to the Lord Ayyappa temple here.

The meeting, which lasted for half-an-hour, assumes significance in the wake of protests launched by main Opposition Congress-led UDF and the BJP over restrictions and prohibitory orders in the temple complex, after it opened for the two-month long annual pilgrim season on November 16.

A delegation of the United Democratic Front (UDF), comprising Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala and Oommen Chandy, had defied the prohibitory orders Tuesday at the base camps at Pamba and Nilackal.

BJP state General Secretary K Surendran along with two others had also tried to proceed to the Lord Ayyappa Temple from Nilackal, despite being advised by police personnel against visiting Sabarimala due to law and order issues.

They were arrested on November 18.

The Governor in a series of tweets said he had invited Vijayan for a discussion on various issues related to Sabarimala.

"On receipt of petitions from various leaders and the general public, I invited Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan to Kerala Raj Bhavan for a discussion on the issues related to Sabarimala."