Thiruvananthapuram, May 29 -- The first session of the newly elected Congress-led UDF government in Kerala began on a historic note on Friday with the rendition of "Vande Mataram" in the Kerala Legislative Assembly for the first time in its history before Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar's policy address.
Only the opening portion of the national song was played by the police band before the Governor's address.
Though there had been a recommendation from Lok Bhavan to play the complete version, the government opted to retain only the initial portion during the Assembly proceedings.
Governor Arlekar was received at the Assembly by Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sun...