Governor's Christmas diplomacy to break ice with government

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amidst the ongoing battle with the government, the governor will invite the CM and other ministers to celebrate Christmas at Raj Bhavan. 300 people, including ministers, religious priests and community leaders, will be guests at the reception at 6:30 pm on December10. The festival will be held in the courtyard of Raj Bhavan. Taking into consideration the case of non-signing of bills passed by the Assembly, the Supreme Court had suggested that the governor and the Chief Minister resolve the issues through discussion. It was after this that the governor proposed to hold a Christmas feast.

Chief Minister, Ministers, Speaker, Leader of Opposition, MPs, MLAs, various religious priests and eminent persons will be invited for the celebration at Raj Bhavan. Union ministers and ministers of other states may also participate. The governor may directly invite the Chief Minister. However, it is not clear whether the Chief Minister and the Ministers, who are not in good terms with the Governor, will attend the reception.

The government did not pay Rs 20 lakh as requested by the governor for the cost of the last Independence Day banquet. The government has suggested that the expenditure should be met from the budget allocated to the Raj Bhavan. Therefore, the governor has requested the tourism department to bear the cost of the Christmas party. The governor will also host Christmas party in Kozhikode.

Will the Chief Minister attend?

• The Chief Minister and Ministers will be in Ernakulam and Idukki districts on the 10th in connection with the Navakerala Sadas. The event in Thodupuzha is at 6:30 pm.
• Last year, the Chief Minister, Ministers and Leader of the Opposition did not attend the Governor's Christmas party. The Chief Minister organized an elaborate Christmas party in Thiruvananthapuram, but the governor was not invited.