Governor weaponizes gold smuggling allegations against CM

NEW DELHI: Governor, Arif Mohammad Khan, has responded to the Chief Minister’s harsh criticism against him by asking the Governor not to act as all-powerful. In his response, the Governor, accused CM, Pinarayi Vijayan’s office of having links to gold smuggling. He also used Swapna Suresh’s allegations to target the CM.

The Governor, in a press meeting in Delhi yesterday, warned that if it is proved that the Chief Minister’s office and those close to him have links with gold smuggling then, he will intervene in the matter.

Arif Mohammad Khan’s harsh criticisms come on the day that he would be returning to the state.

Without naming the CM’s former principal secretary, Sivasankar, and gold smuggling accused, Swapna Suresh, and using the allegations in her book, the Governor targeted the Chief Minister.

The Governor asked if the Chief Minister did not know the happenings in his office. He reminded that everyone knows who all are involved in the gold smuggling case. The details are given in a recently published book and an officer was ousted from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

He also asked whether that woman reached the CM’s office in the company of that official. She was also arranged a job by the CMO and asked who had invited her to a hill station.

The Governor added that he has not intervened in any government matters but will say now that the CMO is protecting those related to the gold smuggling. The CMO is also not allowing state investigation agencies to probe the crime further.

The Governor also warned that he will intervene in this situation but said he will not reveal in what way his intervention will come. He said that it is his duty to implement the law and added that his duty is not to execute the order of the authority.