Kerala Governor vs LDF: Arif Mohammad Khan reads just last para of policy address in Assembly

He began the address by greeting everyone in the House and then said, “I will now read the last para.”

Khan and the Left government led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan have been at loggerheads over several issues, primarily over the functioning of universities in the state, and his non-signing of certain Bills passed by the duly-elected Assembly.

The Kerala government has taken his inaction over Bills to the Supreme Court, where the matter is being heard.

The tension between the government and the Governor also resulted in Khan facing widespread protests across the state from the CPI(M), its youth wing — the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) — and its student outfit, the Students Federation of India (SFI).

Analysis: Chief Minister Vijayan, Governor Khan, and minority politics in Kerala

Khan in the Assembly

Reading out the last of the 136 paragraphs of the 62-page policy address, the Governor said, “Let us remember that our greatest legacy lies not in buildings or monuments, but in the respect and regard we show to the priceless legacy of the Constitution of India and the timeless values of democracy, secularism, federalism and social justice.”

He further said that the essence of cooperative federalism is what has kept India united and strong all these years and it was everyone’s bounden duty to ensure that this essence is not diluted.

“Together as part of this varied and beautiful nation we will weave the tapestry of inclusive growth and responsible resilience, overcoming all the challenges that are thrown our way,” he said, concluding his address, and sat down in the seat marked for him on the dais.

Thereafter, the national anthem was played and, after it ended, Khan walked out of the Assembly, the entire exercise taking just under five minutes.

(This is a developing story. It will be updated)

(With PTI Inputs)