THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The new Governor has entered the good book of the state government by delivering the policy address, which included criticisms of the central government, in the legislature without showing any displeasure or protest. The government asses that there will be no further confrontations with the Governor for the remainder of its term.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar arrived at the Assembly wearing a warm and friendly smile instead of any displeasure. With a broad smile, he shook hands with the Chief Minister, greeted the Speaker and members of the Assembly with folded hands, and left after the session.
The government deliberately avoided harsh criticisms of the central government in the policy address. The government, which has been sharply criticising the UGC draft regulations which give ultimate authority to the Governor as Chancellor, did not mention anything about it in the policy address. The SilverLine project, a dream project of the state government, was also not mentioned in the policy address. The lack of central assistance for the rehabilitation of Wayanad was omitted as well.
The policy address began with a declaration of the government’s unwavering commitment to "Navakerala Nirmanam" (Rebuilding New Kerala). It mainly focused on matters such as Wayanad rehabilitation, Vizhinjam Port development, National Highway development, Waterway expansion and Healthcare sector advancements. It also touched on the progress in education, local self-governance, and tourism development, covering various aspects of state growth.
Given the frequent clashes with Arif Mohammed Khan during his five-and-a-half-year tenure as Governor, the government has now adopted a stance of reconciliation with the Governor.
The speech, which lasted 1 hour, 56 minutes, and 29 seconds, began with the Governor greeting everyone in Malayalam by saying “Namaskaram.”