Governor, Govt Battle Intensifies in Kerala: Khan Accuses Pinarayi of Neglect

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan has raised concerns that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan does not regularly provide updates on government activities, which he says is a constitutional duty of the Chief Minister.

This comes in response to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's announcement that the state plans to take the matter to the Supreme Court due to the Governor's refusal to sign bills passed by the state assembly.

Addressing a press conference here, Vijayan said as many as eight bills passed by the Assembly after detailed deliberations were submitted for the approval of the Governor under Article 200 of the Constitution.

"It’s the constitutional duty of the Chief Minister to regularly update me. he does not come to Raj Bhavan. All the queries I have raised; have not been replied to. If you are not going to reply to the queries I have raised, how do you expect me to act on it? It’s not the ministers' duty but the duty of the Chief Minister not just to come and explain the queries I have raised but to keep the governor regularly updated about what is happening,” Arif Mohammad Khan said.

Furthermore, Arif Khan accused the state government of wanting him to take actions that are contrary to the law of the land, specifically referring to the appointment of vice-chancellors.

“Supreme Court in its many judgements had made it clear that state government has no business in the appointment of vice-chancellor. In the bill that has come to me, they want to use the authority to appoint the vice-chancellor. Do you want me to do something that goes against the law of the land? how is that possible,” Kerala Governor added.

The Governor also said that our system is conscious of the fact that every government is formed by a party and Parties work in a partisan manner.

He said, “That's why the oath is taken that they won't behave in a partisan way. Unfortunately, people don't remember those lines that we are bound by that oath".
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan pointed out, "As per the constitution, the Governor cannot unnecessarily delay the bills sent to him after the Assembly passes them."