Kerala CM takes oath as MLA again using complete name

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan has defended his use of his full name, including his caste surname 'Menon', during his swearing-in ceremony and subsequent MLA oath.

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Thursday took oath as an MLA of the 16th state Legislative Assembly by again reading out his entire name -- Vadasseri Damodara Menon Satheesan.

At his swearing-in as chief minister on Monday, he had said his entire name, inviting criticism from various sections of social media as well as some Congress leaders for using the caste surname 'Menon'.

On Wednesday, at a press conference here, Satheesan had defended his use of the caste surname during his swearing-in ceremony, saying he had only mentioned his father's name and saw nothing wrong in doing so on such an occasion.

''Why is it wrong if I mention my father's name. Shouldn't I remember him,'' Satheesan had asked while speaking to reporters after a Cabinet meeting here.

He had also said that he wanted to mention his mother's name too, but there was no scope for that.

The controversy erupted after some social media users compared Satheesan's latest oath as chief minister with the oath he took as a legislator in 2021.

During the earlier swearing-in in the Assembly in 2021, he had identified himself simply as ''V D Satheesan''.

On Thursday, while being sworn in as an MLA, Satheesan again said his full name.