Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Chief Minister-designate V D Satheesan on Friday visited senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala at the latter's residence here and said that they are brothers.
Both Satheesan and Chennithala were in the race for the chief minister's post.
However, after the AICC announced Satheesan as the next chief minister, Chennithala left his Thiruvananthapuram residence and went to Guruvayur on Thursday. He returned to the state capital on Friday morning.
Though Satheesan was scheduled to visit Chennithala's residence at 10 am, the meeting was delayed as the latter had stepped out with party leaders close to him.
After meeting former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Satheesan went to Chennithala's house at around 12.30 pm.
He was received by the senior leader, after which the two held a discussion.
Congress leaders Anwar Sadath, Abin Varkey, Jyothi Kumar Chamakkala, V T Balram and Joseph Vazhackan were also present during the meeting.
Later, both held discussions without other leaders present. The meeting last for around 45 minutes.
"I met Ramesh Chennithala to seek his blessings. He has always been my leader-from my student days, he was my leader, and he continues to be so," Satheesan told reporters here.
He said Chennithala had blessed him for his new role.
"His blessings and support will always be with me. This is a meeting of two brothers," he said.
When asked whether Chennithala would be part of the Cabinet, Satheesan said the decision would be taken by the party.
"The party leadership will discuss with him. A decision will be taken after seeking his opinion," he said.
Chennithala said he was happy that Satheesan had been selected as chief minister.
"I welcome the decision of the high command," he told reporters.
He said party leaders shared a close personal relationship.
"The task of freeing Kerala from the 10 years of LDF rule has been entrusted to him. We, along with party workers, will work to achieve it," he said.
When asked whether he would be a minister, Chennithala said the decision would be taken by the party.
