Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Monday said conventions and precedents are bound to change, describing the swearing-in ceremony as an event held for the people who elected the government.

Responding to reporters' questions on dignitaries being seated on the stage during the ceremony, Satheesan said all those who attended the event had to be considered.

There were reports that Lok Bhavan had directed that only key dignitaries should be allowed onstage for the swearing-in ceremony.

"Precedents are meant to change. It is not appropriate to treat something as a fixed precedent for 100 or 150 years," he said.

He said several prominent leaders attended the function, including Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Chief Ministers from other states, former Chief Ministers and Union Ministers.

Satheesan said he was happy that former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, whom he had personally invited, also attended the event.

He added that the BJP state president, who was elected as an MLA from Nemom, CPI(M) state secretary Binoy Viswam and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leaders were also present.

The CM said a large crowd had been anticipated, and adequate security arrangements had been made.

"Did you notice that we did not seat some people on the stage and others outside," he said.

He said the government was elected by the people, and the swearing-in ceremony was held in the presence of everyone.

"We wanted to send a message. We cannot always insist on precedents. It was a public ceremony," he said.

Chief Minister Satheesan and 20 ministers were sworn in at an event held at Central Stadium here on Monday.