Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan Hits Out At Left Govt For "Pressurizing" Him As It Holds Protest In Delhi Against Centre

New Delhi [India]: Reacting to the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's allegation that Governor's office in the state is being used by the Centre to sabotage the state government, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Thursday said people who had "pressurized" him to reappoint Kannur university vice-chancellor are free to say anything they like.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan made this allegation during a protest by Kerala's ruling alliance Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Delhi's Jantar Mantar against the central government's alleged discrimination towards Kerala.

"Everybody is entitled with his opinion," Arif Mohammed Khan told reporters here when asked about his reaction on the Chief Minister's allegation.

"With great humility I had tried to make them understand that the pressure they are bringing on me to reappoint the vice-chancellor of the Kannur University is not right. They brought the opinion of the Advocate General. I okayed it. And finally what happened in the court. The man was made to vacate the seat," the governor said.

"Instead of saying sorry for what they had pressurized me to do. The people who do not have any sense of shame, are free to say anything they like," the governor added.

On the other allegation of the LDF that he was mostly staying outside Kerala, the governor said, "You can see my programs. All programs are approved by the Rashtrapati Bhavan. In fact, people who do not invite governor even for Onam celebration, making this complaint speaks poorly of them".

He, however declined to react on the LDF's protest at the Jantar Mantar.
The protest was led by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and saw participation of Ministers, legislators, and parliamentarians from the State.

The LDF legislators were seen raising slogans against the central government and holding banner that read "Fight to protect Federalism".

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann also joined the protest at Jantar Mantar.

DMK Minister P Thiaga Rajan represented his party in the protest after Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin endorsed the protests led by his Kerala counterpart.
Addressing the protestors at Jantar Mantar, CM Vijayan asserted that the fight will strive to maintain balance in Centre-State relations.

"Today, we are at a historical juncture of the Indian republic. A democracy that was envisaged as a 'Union of States' is slowly and steadily being crippled into an undemocratic 'Union over States'. We are seeing its manifestations around the country, especially in opposition-ruled states," Vijayan said.