'One who led an exemplary public life, wanted to see him'; Arlekar calls on VS

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar called on former chief minister V S Achuthanandan at his residence in the capital city. While talking to the media after seeing the senior leader, he said that he had heard about VS since his college days and that he was a person who led an exemplary public life.

'When I reached the capital city as Governor, I wanted to meet him. Fortunately, I was able to meet and talk to his family. Although VS could not speak due to his ill health, I was able to communicate with him. I pray for his good health,' said Arlekar.

The Governor also clarified his stand on the question in connection with the UGC Bill. He said the draft policy has now surfaced and clarified that in a democratic system, everyone has the freedom to express their opinion and there is place for discussions.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had the other day visited the Governor at the Raj Bhavan. In an article in the CPM mouthpiece, CPM state secretary M V Govindan had praised Arlekar. Govindan's remark was that the Governor's policy speech emphasized the construction of a new Kerala, which is the goal of the Left Democratic Front, and that it was welcome that the Governor was not prepared to refrain from performing his constitutional duty despite criticism from the central government. Unlike the previous Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, the new Governor was prepared to read the state government's policy speech in full, and that he expects a similar approach from the Governor in the coming days as well, Govindan said in the article.