Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan welcomed Arif Mohammad Khan
Thiruvananthapuram: Tension between Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and the ruling Left Front continued on Thursday when he reached the state assembly for his traditional address on the first day of the session in the new year. The Governor read only the last paragraph of the speech. The speech was more than 60 pages long. Governor Khan reached the Assembly at 9 am and finished his address just before 9.02 am and left the House at 9.04 am.
Differences between the government and the governor on many issues
Khan and the CPI(M)-led Kerala government are at loggerheads over several issues, including the functioning of universities in the state and his not signing some bills passed by the Assembly. Both have been attacking each other in a public place and it continued on Thursday when Khan reached the Assembly. Although Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his party welcomed Khan, everyone was all smiles except Khan and Vijayan. When Vijayan handed over the bouquet to Khan, he immediately gave it to his aide and walked inside the Assembly making a face.
Governor and CM ignored each other
He said that he is happy to address the House. He said, “Now, I am going to read the last paragraph…” After reading the last paragraph, Khan walked away. Even when they were leaving the House, Khan and Vijayan did not look at each other. When the waiting media asked the Governor the reason for this, he folded his hands and left in the car.
Leader of opposition criticized
Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan criticized Khan for disrespecting the assembly. “This should not have happened,” Satheesan said. Deputy leader of opposition P.K. Kunhalikutty said everything was over in one fell swoop and the assembly was made a mockery of. “We were waiting to welcome him but he did not even look at us,” Kunhalikutty said.
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