Kerala Governor declines invitation to inaugurate Loka Kerala Sabha
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Monday declined a state government request to inaugurate the public meeting of the three-day-long Loka Kerala Sabha, a common platform for Keralites worldwide, later this week.
The Governor conveyed his position when Chief Secretary V Venu presented Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's letter at Raj Bhavan, according to sources here.
Khan, who has been at odds with the Left government on various issues, raised concerns about allegations made against him by CPI(M) leaders and the protests staged by its student and youth activists in public places, including blocking his vehicle movement in the state, during the chief secretary's visit.
Sources said he was upset with the ministers who publicly declared their support for the activists protesting against him, encouraging them as democratic actions.
During the meeting, the Governor questioned the sudden change in the government's approach towards him and declined the invitation, also pointing to the lack of similar invitations for other government programmes like 'Keraleeyam', they added.
The fourth Loka Kerala Sabha, aimed at cultural, socio-political, and economic integration of Malayalees residing outside the state, is scheduled to take place from June 13 to 15 at the Kerala Assembly complex.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Rajnath meets Chinese Defence Minister Dong in Bishkek
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday held talks with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun on the margins of a multilateral conclave in Bishkek.
It is learnt that the two ministers reviewed the overall situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
"It was a pleasure to interact with the Defence Minister of China Admiral Dong Jun during the SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting in Bishkek," Singh said on social media.
There is no official word yet on what transpired during the talks between Singh and Dong.
The defence minister also met his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov.
"Great interaction with Russian Defence Minister, Andrei Belousov during the SCO Defence Ministers' Meet in Bishkek," Singh said.
Singh landed in the capital city of Kyrgyzstan on Monday to attend the conclave of defence ministers of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
