Thiruvananthapuram | The Kerala government on Thursday expressed dissatisfaction over Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar’s meeting with departmental heads regarding preparations for International Yoga Day on June 21.
The CMO, in a statement, said the chief secretary wrote to Lok Bhavan expressing the government’s dissatisfaction with the holding of such a meeting and requested that special care be taken to avoid a recurrence of such incidents in the future.
The chief secretary also told Lok Bhavan that holding such meetings was an executive function of the government.
The CMO statement came shortly after the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, Pinarayi Vijayan, criticised the governor’s move and said there was no response to it from the CM.
Vijayan said the issue required serious consideration as it amounted to a "clear violation of constitutional practice and democratic conduct."
He said the governor was expected to act on the aid and advice of the CM and the council of ministers, as mandated by the Constitution, but in this instance was functioning as a "parallel seat of power".
"It is unconstitutional and a violation of federal rights. On what basis is the governor calling departmental officials directly, issuing directions and interfering in the executive functions of the government?" he asked.
Vijayan said there was criticism from various quarters that after coming to power, the new government was being submissive to the Sangh Parivar.
"It appears that the governor is also trying to make use of the opportunity. It questions the dignity of the state. The CM should remember that he has to protect the dignity of the state," he said.
In its statement, the CMO said it came to know about the meeting through media reports and immediately contacted the governor’s office in the morning to seek clarification.
It said the governor’s secretary later informed the chief secretary that the officials were not called for a special meeting and that only communication regarding Yoga Day had taken place.
