Opposition leaders boycott Kerala Governor’s policy address
Thiruvananthapuram:
The budget session of the Kerala Legislative Assembly began on Friday with the opposition walk-in during the policy address by Governor Arif Mohammad Khan.
Alleging an “unholy nexus” between Mr Khan and the CPI(M)-led state government, Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan said there are middlemen between them to resolve the issues.
“They are doing illegal activities like violating university laws and constitutional provisions,” alleged Mr. Satisan.
Governor Khan had approved the policy address late last night after a brief tussle with the state government. Sources say that the governor had earlier refused to approve the policy speech objecting to the state government’s decision to allow pension for private employees of ministers.
According to sources, Mr Khan had also expressed his strong displeasure over a letter by the Principal Secretary of the General Administration Department (GAD) against the appointment of a BJP leader as additional personal assistant.
The secretary’s letter, leaked to the media, said the appointment was being made “against the precedents” only on the basis of “the will of the governor”.
The issue was resolved after the Kerala government replaced KR Jyotilal as Principal Secretary (GAD) to a senior civil servant.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also visited the Raj Bhavan and met the Governor to pacify him.
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