Poor, marginalised people will be at centre of govt's policies: Kerala CM

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan outlined his government's focus on improving living standards for the poor and middle-class, aiming to showcase Kerala as a progressive and inclusive society.

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Sunday said the UDF government would function by embracing the poor and marginalised sections of society and focus on improving the living standards of ordinary people.

Speaking at a reception accorded to him in his home constituency of Paravur, Satheesan said the government's objective would be to improve the quality of life of every poor and middle-class family in the state.

''Our aim is to showcase Kerala before the world as a progressive and inclusive society,'' he said.

The Chief Minister said the government would work to strengthen the economy without causing hardship to the people and would strive to build a secular Kerala that accommodates everyone.

He also said efforts would be made to ensure welfare and security for senior citizens and to create more employment opportunities within the state so that youngsters would not be forced to go abroad in search of jobs.

''We will work with commitment and dedication to make every Malayali's dream a reality,'' Satheesan said.

He further assured the people that their elected representative would not run behind the privileges of power and asserted that he would never do anything that would bring disgrace to the voters of his constituency.

Speaking at the reception, actor Mohanlal said it was a rare experience in Kerala's history to witness an entire state vocally rallying for a person to become the Chief Minister.

He said honesty and transparency might have drawn people towards Satheesan.

The ''Drishyam'' actor also urged the Chief Minister to ensure that roads in the state cease to be death traps for people and that waste does not become a source of diseases.

Recalling mass dialogue in one of his movies, Mohanlal said ''narcotics is a ''dirty business'' and called for stringent action against drug abuse.

Eminent poet-lyricist Sreekumaran Thampi, who was also present at the function, said Satheesan was a leader who never wavered from the path of his duties.

He also cautioned the new CM that without the people, there can be neither kings nor ministers.