Kerala opposition leader VS Achuthanandan says he was not invited to Governor's swearing-in

CPI(M) stalwart and opposition leader in the Kerala assembly V S Achuthanandan today said he did not get an official invitation to attend the swearing-in of Justice P Sathasivam as Governor today and demanded a probe into the serious lapse. Countering the Government's claim that he had been invited properly, Achuthanandan alleged neither he directly nor his Private Secretary was extended a formal invitation to attend the function held at the Raj Bhavan this morning.'

"All that my office received was car pass sent through an attender for the reception for the Governor-designate on his arrival yesterday. No official contacted either me or my Private Secretary over telephone," the nonagenarian leader, whose absence at the ceremony was conspicuous, said in a statement. He said this was a serious lapse and demanded a high-level probe ordered into the faux pas. The Government had earlier in the day issued a press note claiming that a formal invitation was extended to the Leader of the Opposition and even a seat was reserved in the front row at the venue.