CPM to use ongoing war with Governor as weapon for Lok Sabha elections

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM is strategizing to make maximum gains in the state in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections by turning the political fight against the Governor into a weapon to gain the trust of the religious minorities. The CPM believes that the Muslim minorities are dissatisfied with Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on the issue of the Citizenship Amendment and that the UDF parties, including the Muslim League, are suspicious of the Governor's current policy approaches. The plan is to take advantage of this situation.

The UGC Chairman's latest letter to the Governors has given strength to the Left's allegation that the Centre is using the Governor as a weapon to control the universities in the state. The CPM interprets the UGC chairman's letter as a direct encroachment on the universities. According to the CPM, the Governor's visit to the RSS chief while he was in Kerala is evidence of the Governor's allegiance to the organisation.

The CPM feels that the Muslim League's divisive stand on the Governor issue has sown confusion within the UDF. It is hoping to put the UDF on the defensive by pointing this out when the bill to remove the Governor from the post of chancellor reaches the assembly.

The UDF is of the opinion that it is not right to blindly support the Governor even while opposing the Left government's interference in the higher education sector. The Congress has been strongly opposing the interference of the Governors as Chancellor in Rajasthan and Maharashtra.