CM in Raj Bhavan for first time after row; no pic of Bharat Mata

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan visited Raj Bhavan for the first time for an official function after the row that broke out over the picture of Bharat Mata with the saffron flag. The chief minister came to publish the 'Rajahams' journal, which contains details and programs of the Governor and Raj Bhavan. The chief minister released the journal by handing it over to Shashi Tharoor MP. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and the chief minister jointly inaugurated the function by lighting the lamp. No picture of Bharat Mata was there. The chief minister had earlier written to the Governor requesting that the picture be excluded from official functions.

Meanwhile, the chief minister expressed his dissatisfaction with the article in the first edition of Rajahams, a quarterly published by Raj Bhavan, at the function. The chief minister criticized the article interpreting Article 200 of the Constitution. Articles supporting or against the government can appear in the magazine. It is only the opinion of the writer. Contrary opinions will not bother the government. The powers of the Governor and the powers of the government are recorded in the article in the first edition. What the writer has written in it is not the opinion of the government but may be the personal opinion of the writer. The chief minister clarified in his speech that since it comes in the name of Raj Bhavan, it cannot be the opinion of the government.

Meantime, Governor Arlekar spoke without responding to the chief minister's criticism. He only said that he had asked Tharoor about what the chief minister had said and understood it. Meanwhile, Tharoor demanded the name of Raj Bhavans be changed to Lok Bhavan.

Tharoor said that he hopes Rajahams will become a bridge between the governance of the state and the governed of the state. I think we all agree that Raj Bhavan should not be a distant institution from the people, but one that belongs to the people, one that listens, reflects, and shares.