One of the first decisions taken by Kerala Chief Minister-designate V D Sathisean after being selected for the post was to restrict his convoy to the minimum possible vehicles, unlike his grand predecessor’s convoy which had drawn criticism from various quarters.
Speaking to reporters after a joint meeting with various religious leaders, Sathisan said his intention was not to mock his predecessors but that “the exchequer will not be able to bear the burden of such extravagance”.
He also emphasized that “those who came before me may have needed it, and I don’t.”
He said that since he, as Prime Minister, would be given Z category plus security status, he had asked the police to be careful.
“Therefore, I have asked the police to provide the minimum possible security convoy. The minimum possible number of vehicles. The minimum. I have also asked them not to disturb people on the road when I travel,” Sathisan said.
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He said that if he traveled in a great way, those on the way would not say anything in public, but would mock him in private.
“Moreover, if we show extravagance, those below us will do so as well, and the state treasury will not be able to bear this burden,” he added.
Sathisan also said that he would not buy a new official car and would use any available vehicle, regardless of its colour.
He said, “If you buy a new car, there will be no problem for the treasury. But that will send the wrong message to the administrative system. Also, when the financial situation is very bad, as is the case currently, we must set an example by reducing extravagance as much as possible.”
Earlier in the day, party sources said that Satheesan had instructed that only a pilot and an escort vehicle should accompany his official vehicle, and people should not be blocked on the road while he travels.
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His decision is a major shift from the VIP culture of ministers as well as the huge convoy of over 10 vehicles that was seen when Pinarayi Vijayan used to travel.
Even former Kerala president Oommen Chandy did not have a grand procession like Vijayan’s.
After his joint meeting with various religious leaders, Sathisan said religious unity is a special feature of Kerala.
“These religious leaders have always stood together in the face of any conflict and given a message of communal harmony and against divisive campaigns.
“I am grateful to them for coming here and giving me their blessings. Their dreams are definitely a secular Kerala without any divisive campaigns. To create such a secular state, I humbly seek their support,” he said.
Sathisan also said there would be no change in the promise made by religious leaders that all communal and divisive campaigns would be strongly opposed.
He further said that he believes he got the position of Prime Minister thanks to all their prayers and that is why he described it as a “divine mission” when he met the media for the first time after the AICC announced his name as the prime minister designate.
