Individual ministers' statements against Governor's office will invite action: Arif Mohammed Khan
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Amidst the ongoing tussle between the ruling LDF in Kerala and the Raj Bhavan over various issues, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Monday issued a stern warning that statements by any Left minister that lower dignity of his office would invite action including "withdrawal of pleasure."
Khan and the ruling Left front have been at loggerheads for some time over the signing of certain controversial legislations, like the Lok Ayukta and University Laws Amendment Bills, passed by the Kerala Assembly and appointments to the universities in the state.
Several Left ministers have been saying that the Governor is bound to act in accordance with the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers and cannot hold on to the bills indefinitely without signing or sending them back.
Some Left leaders and ministers had alleged that Khan was creating a constitutional crisis in the state at the behest of the BJP and RSS and was trying to implement the policies of the latter in Kerala.
In the wake of all these harsh criticism against him, the Governor, on Twitter, said that while the chief minister and council of ministers have every right to advise him, statements of individual ministers that lower the dignity of the Governor's office can invite action.
"Hon'ble Governor Shri Arif Mohammed Khan said: "The CM and Council of Ministers have every right to advise Governor.But statements of individual ministers that lower the dignity of the office of the Governor, can invite action including withdrawal of pleasure": PRO, KeralaRajBhavan," his office tweeted.
This is the second unexpected move by Khan in the last few days.
A few days ago, as Chancellor of Universities in the state, he had issued an order for removal of the 15 members of the Senate of the Kerala University.
Khan had taken the action after his repeated directions to hold a senate meeting and provide a nominee of the senate for the selection committee went unheeded, sources in the Raj Bhavan had said.
The selection committee was to appoint a Vice-Chancellor, the sources had said.
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TN Assembly elections: Eight-month pregnant homemaker wins Thiru Vi Ka Nagar seat for TVK
Chennai (PTI): Before giving birth, she had already delivered a mandate—a symbol of hope for Thiru Vi Ka Nagar.
Echoing Delhi’s 2013 “common citizen” political churn associated with the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), an eight-month-pregnant homemaker, M R Pallavi, has been elected as an MLA from Chennai’s Thiru Vi Ka Nagar constituency, emerging as one of the notable first-time faces of the Vijay-led TVK in the recently held Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
In the narrow lanes of Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, a steady stream of media personnel has been making their way to Pallavi’s residence—a scene reminiscent of the result day in Delhi when journalists thronged the modest home of Rakhi Birla, who had won from Mangolpuri on an AAP ticket.
Pallavi, 36, a homemaker educated up to class XII, defeated the DMK candidate K S Ravichandran by a margin of 22,333 votes in the reserved Thiru Vi Ka Nagar Assembly constituency.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerged as the single largest party by winning 108 seats, while DMK and AIADMK got 59 and 47, respectively.
Pallavi’s victory has drawn attention due to her personal circumstances. She campaigned extensively while eight months pregnant, going door-to-door to reach voters.
According to local accounts, she even fainted once during the campaign but continued her outreach.
She has not spoken to the media following her victory, as doctors have advised her to rest. Her husband, Rajesh, briefly recounted her campaign efforts.
A self-professed admirer of actor-turned-politician Vijay, Pallavi joined TVK soon after its formation and is now among its first-time legislators.
Doctors have advised her to be hospitalised around May 20, as she is expecting her second child. Ahead of that, voters in Thiru Vi Ka Nagar have entrusted her with representing them in the state Assembly.
Political observers say the rise of candidates like Pallavi signals a possible shift in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, with voters backing a new party and candidates from non-traditional backgrounds.
