THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan has strongly criticized the appointment of the personal staff of ministers. "Ministers have more than twenty personal staff. The staff are being changed every two years. The state is incurring a huge financial burden, including pensions and salaries," the governor said.

"Party recruitment is taking place in the name of appointment of staff. I had only 11 personal staff when I served as Union Minister. The government is trying to grow the party cadre in the name of staff appointments. I've asked the government to repeal this practice and include it in the policy address," he said. He also said that he will not back down from his stand.

The governor also said that no one should try to control the Raj Bhavan and that the government had no right to it. "I'm answerable only to the President. I haven't asked anyone to remove Jyothilal from his post," he added.

The governor also lashed out at opposition leader VD Satheesan and former minister AK Balan. "Satheesan should learn from Oommen Chandy and Chennithala on how to work as an Opposition Leader. Balan should not speak childishly," he said.