‘Collapse of Constitutional Machinery in Kerala’: Governor Says CM Vijayan Behind Defamatory Posters – News18

The relationship between the Kerala Governor and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hit a new low on Sunday with Arif Mohammed Khan alleging that posters defamatory to him were placed by the police in the campus of Calicut University on the direction of CM.

Khan went on to say that this “clearly is the beginning of the collapse of constitutional machinery” in Kerala.

“The black banners and posters have been placed inside the campus, just outside the University Guest House where the Governor is staying. Hon’ble Governor feels that this cannot happen without the direction of the Chief Minister and that this clearly is the beginning of the collapse of the constitutional machinery in the State. He said that such deliberate actions of the Chief Minister precipitate the breakdown of constitutional machinery,” said Kerala Raj Bhavan.

Earlier today, the Kerala CM accused the Governor of deliberately ‘attempting to destroy’ the peace in the state by making provocative statements.

Responding to reporters’ queries about the Governor calling the protesting SFI activists as “criminals”, Vijayan said Khan has “reached a situation where he is saying whatever comes to mind”. “He (Khan) is forgetting that he is the Governor of Kerala,” the CM said.

Vijayan said that he had earlier also pointed out that Khan was “deliberately attempting to destroy the peace in the state through his actions” and the same has been proven by the Governor’s subsequent actions. “He (Khan) has tried to

create the maximum possible provocation on every issue,” he added.

The CM also criticised Khan for referring to the protesting activists of the CPI(M)’s student wing — the Students Federation of India — as “criminals” and “goondas”. “How can he use such rude words against the protesters?” he asked.

The Governor, a day ago, reiterated that the volunteers of the ruling CPI(M)’s students’ wing were “criminals” to whom he was not accountable to explain any of his decisions. He had alleged that the protesting students were “criminals hired by the chief minister”.

(With PTI inputs)