THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The chief ministers meet convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started. The meeting is to assess the lockdown situation. Meantime, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is not partaking in the meeting. The chief minister has deputed Chief Secretary Tom Jose to lead the meet. The chief minister is not attending the meet as Kerala does not have the permission to speak.

Meantime, the chief minister via phone requested Union Home Minister Amti Shah to withdraw lockdown in phases. The chief minister got the chance to speak in the last meeting. The chief ministers who did not get the chance to speak last time will be able to speak this time. Only nine states are allowed to speak during the video meet with the Prime Minister today.

The chief ministers of Bihar, Odisha, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and Puducherry will get a chance to speak today.

This is the third time the Prime Minister is holding talks with the chief ministers of states after the lockdown. Disease spread and preventive measures are likely to be discussed with the chief ministers. States will also address the need including economic package. Meantime, Delhi, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha have sought extension of the lockdown.