Grapevine in the corridors of power has it that Khan could get one more term at the Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram. His USP? An extremely hostile relationship with the LDF government.
Published Sep 05, 2024 | 2:00 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 05, 2024 | 4:27 PM
Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. If the Union government decides to extend Khan’s tenure, it would be a calculated gamble.
On Friday, 6 September, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan is set to complete his five-year term. He is, however, in no teething hurry to pack his bags. Khan is waiting to see if the Union government would grant him an additional tenure.
Grapevine in the corridors of power has it that Khan would get one more term at the Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram. His USP? An extremely hostile relationship with the LDF government.
As a political figure who had served various political parties — the Congress, Janata Dal, BSP, and BJP — Khan has made a name for himself as a leader who speaks his mind.
Khan started his political career as a student leader and led the Aligarh Muslim University Students’ Union as its general secretary and then its president. At the age of 26, he became a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 1977, from the Siyana constituency in the Bulandshahr district.
He was sworn in as the 28th governor of Kerala on 6 September 2019 and he has been since then navigating the complex political waters of Kerala with a mix of compassion and controversies.
Ironically, the man who is now the BJP’s trump card in the state had dismissed the saffron party twice: first when he resigned from the BSP after it became evident that it would join hands with the BJP to form a government in UP, and then after joining the BJP, he quit the party accusing it of giving tickets to tainted leaders.
His appointment as Kerala governor was met with curiosity and scepticism, given the state’s unique political and cultural landscape.
However, Khan’s tenure has been marked by a series of bold moves and confrontations, particularly with the LDF government led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
This friction, while controversial, seems to have worked in his favour, earning him the attention and approval of the central leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
It has to be noted that out of the five governors, the president had appointed on 1 September 2019, only Khan is completing the five-year term.
Others, Kalraj Mishra (Rajasthan), Bhagat Singh Koshyari (Maharashtra), and Bandaru Dattatraya (Himachal Pradesh) were either transferred or replaced, while Tamilisai Soundararajan (Telangana) resigned to return to electoral politics.
As per Kerala Raj Bhavan’s statistics, Khan will be the fourth governor to complete a full five-year term. V Viswanathan and P Ramachandran had held the post beyond five years – the former five years and 10 months, and the latter five years and three months. Khan’s predecessor and former chief justice P Sathasivam completed exactly five years in office.
Though governorships are often ceremonial roles, they are strategic positions with the potential to influence state affairs.
Khan’s term in Kerala has exemplified this, as he repeatedly clashed with the LDF government on issues ranging from university appointments to legislative bills.
His assertiveness in upholding the Constitution and questioning the state government’s decisions won him praise from BJP leaders and their allies, who viewed his actions as a necessary counterbalance to the Left’s dominance in the state.
The political grapevine suggests that Prime Minister Narendra Modi sees little reason to replace Khan. The hostility that has characterised Khan’s relationship with the LDF may be his strongest asset.
By maintaining this friction, Khan not only asserted his authority but also indirectly strengthened the BJP’s position in a state where it has struggled to gain a foothold.
Though there were various defining moments, Khan’s most controversial and unprecedented move was his press conference against Vijayan on 19 September 2022.
He then alleged that the government was intimidating him to assent to erroneous decisions. During that nearly two-hour-long media interaction, he released video footage and government communications to back his claims.
In January, he was seen stepping out from his official vehicle and sitting on the roadside for around two hours at Nilamel in Kollam following a black-flag protest by the SFI. He was eventually granted Z+ security cover by the Centre.
If the Union government decides to extend Khan’s tenure, it would be a calculated gamble.
On one hand, it would signal continuity and a willingness to keep the pressure on the LDF government. On the other, it could provoke further tensions between the state and the Centre, potentially leading to a political standoff.
However, given the BJP’s track record of favouring assertive governors who can keep Opposition-led state governments on tenterhooks, Khan’s reappointment seems increasingly likely.
Moreover, Khan’s stature as a seasoned politician with a deep understanding of both national and state politics makes him an invaluable asset. His ability to navigate the complexities of Kerala’s political environment while staying true to his principles has earned him respect even among his critics. This combination of experience, assertiveness, and strategic value may tip the scales in his favour.
However, if the winds change and a successor is named, it could indicate a shift in the BJP’s strategy.
Article 156 of the Constitution outlines the terms and conditions regarding the tenure of a governor.
– Governor’s Tenure and the President’s Pleasure: The first clause establishes that the governor serves at the pleasure of the president. This means that the governor’s tenure is not fixed and can be terminated at any time by the president, reflecting the discretionary power of the central government over the state executive.
– Resignation of the Governor: The second clause provides the governor with the option to resign. If the governor wishes to step down, they must do so by submitting a written resignation addressed to the president.
– Five-Year Term and Continuation: The third clause specifies that barring any earlier termination or resignation, a governor is appointed for a term of five years starting from the day they assume office. However, the proviso attached to this clause ensures continuity in the office of the governor. It states that even after the five-year term has expired, the governor shall continue to hold office until their successor is appointed and assumes the role.
(Edited by Majnu Babu)
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