UDF Terms Kerala Governor, CM Clash as 'Drama,' Alleges Hidden Compromise

Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress -led UDF opposition on Saturday termed as a 'drama" the ongoing verbal duel between Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on one side and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the CPI(M) on the other, and said, "they will again enter into a compromise".

The leader of Opposition in the state assembly, V D Satheesan, said that the Governor and the Left party come together to violate the laws, and when the state government is in distress, they start fighting.

"There have been so many such fights between them in the past. Each time they compromise with each other. So, all this is a drama. We have said so earlier too," he said.

Satheesan argued that once the state cabinet had decided to convene an assembly session, and the Governor had approved it, no ordinance should be promulgated.

"However, this time the government came out with an ordinance after the assembly was convened and the Governor signed it. So, they both violated the law. They work together when violating the laws and rules," Satheesan added.

He was responding to Khan's recent remarks, where the Governor stated that after the session had been convened, the chief secretary came to the Raj Bhavan seeking his assent for an ordinance.

"I said it was not proper to do so as the Assembly was in session and to re-examine it. The chief secretary came again and said it was fine. So, I signed it."

Khan further alleged that officials were acting without the Chief Minister’s authorization and declared that such actions would no longer be accepted.

Khan has also accused Vijayan of concealing "crimes against the nation" occurring in the state and vowed to report these issues to the Centre and the President.

In response, CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan dismissed Khan's warnings, labeling him a "caretaker Governor" and asserting that the party would not be intimidated.

Govindan also downplayed Khan’s threat to report the state government’s activities to the Centre and the President, calling it "mere rumblings."

On Saturday, CPI(M) leader A K Balan similarly criticized Khan, describing him as a "caretaker or stepney Governor" who opposes the elected government and acts against the Constitution.

Balan said Khan's refusal to allow entry to the chief secretary and DGP into Raj Bhavan violated the Constitution and indicated that the Governor sought to disrupt law and order in the state.

He further suggested that Khan's actions would not harm the government, despite the Governor’s apparent attempts to do so.

The tensions between the Governor and CM escalated after Khan summoned the chief secretary and DGP, requesting information regarding alleged anti-national activities in Kerala .

(With PTI inputs)