Vijayan seeks party’s aid to convene meeting of CMs against cattle rules

Thiruvananthapuram, June 1 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who has opposed the new central rules on cattle trade for slaughter as an infringement of the states' rights, has sought help from his party's national leadership to organise a meeting of his counterparts to discuss the matter.

According to a source close to Vijayan, the first step to the convening of the meeting was his letter to his counterparts in other states sent on Monday.

"The state cabinet was supposed to have a special meet today (Thursday), but it has been postponed for tomorrow (Friday). The issue was discussed at the cabinet on Wednesday and the Chief Minister empowered to do it. And as the first step he has approached the national leadership to go forward with the convening of the meeting, which would be held here," said the source who did not wish to be identified.

Vijayan and his office has now taken up of the task of having informal discussions with like-minded state governments.

Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran told IANS that in Friday's cabinet meeting, among the other issues that are going to come up include on the legal steps to be initiated and the likely date of a special assembly session to be called to discuss this issue.

"It was decided at yesterday's cabinet meet that the Chief Minister will take steps to call a meeting of his counterparts. From the various news reports what we have understood is that already states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Tripura to name a few have already expressed their ire against the new law. So we are hopeful of getting more states also to take part in the meeting. All things with regard to this are being done by Vijayan," he said.