Bills and Governor: Left Front to wait and see

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With Governor Arif Mohammad Khan indicating that he will not sign the Lokayukta and University Amendment Bills, the Left Front has decided to step up its political attack against the governor, thinking that governance will not be smooth.

On Tuesday, CPM and CPI mouthpieces came up with articles against Arif Mohammad Khan's political opportunism. The mouthpieces also published articles citing the book reference regarding his involvement in Jain hawala transactions. The Chief Minister may respond in the same vein to the governor's allegations in a press conference the next day. The governor, who remains firm that he will not yield to any pressure, also gave an ultimatum yesterday to speed up the Kerala VC appointment process.

Speaking at an unusual press conference at Raj Bhavan, the governor asked how he could sign the illegal bills. The Left Front leadership is of the opinion that this statement is a political prejudice. CPM and CPI are assessing that if the governor holds back the bills passed by the assembly for a long time and creates uncertainty, they can strengthen the political campaign by seeing it as a political move. The Left leadership also believes that they can make political gains by intensifying the campaign that the Sangh Parivar is using the governors to cause a deadlock in the states with non-BJP governments. Although he is a Muslim minority, Arif Mohammad Khan has the impression of being fiercely anti-minority. The reason is his stand regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act. Therefore, it is estimated that the battle against the governor will do good for the Left Front in the upcoming elections.

Yesterday, CPI leader Binoy Viswam MP wrote a letter to the President thereby hinting that the issue is becoming a hot topic at the national level. The CPM may also make a political move to ally with other non-BJP governments, who complain that the governors are behaving like the opposition.

Leaders, including the Chief Minister, will raise political criticism against the governor. The CPM has cautioned the party elements not to resort to actions that would attract public anger while reacting in such a way.

The left camp also feels that the governor's Raj Bhavan press conference has politically benefited the front. They may also move the court alleging that the governor violated the constitution by publicising official correspondence between the constitutional institutions.