THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Arif Mohammad Khan has intensified his fight to retaliate against the state government for dissenting in appointing his own staff and the political battle in the state has intensified with the opposition and the ruling CPI (M) clashing with the governor. It is learned that the governor was angered by the government's ignorance to some other appointment files from the Raj Bhavan.

The governor has issued a stern warning in Delhi this evening that he will stop granting pensions to personal staff. Although the government has not responded, government centres are monitoring the governor's response. As the executive head of government, the governor has the power to summon and direct files. If the governor's proposal is discussed by the cabinet and a decision to the contrary is taken the governor has no way but to approve it.

The governor, who pressurized the government by delaying the policy speech to be presented at the legislature, later gave in, but the day after the policy address was presented, the governor sharpened his criticism of the government on the issue of personal staff. It is clear that the 'go back' call of the opposition in the Assembly and the absurdity of the ruling party at that time further infuriated the governor yesterday. In Delhi, the governor also lashed out at CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran, who was more critical than the opposition. The governor sharply criticized the opposition and the Leader of the Opposition for making a fuss against him in the Assembly.

The government has been careful not to provoke the Governor, as the governor's opposition in a manner that would create a constitutional crisis would be a headache for the administration, the CPM has been facing a problem from within the Front as the CPI has been raising criticism. Although the CPM leadership, including the chief minister, is angry with the governor's stance, they are exercising restraint by assessing that the opposition will take advantage in the event of a constitutional crisis. Recognizing the ambiguity of the CPM and the Chief Minister, the opposition is preparing to make a move.

The governor can summon the files

According to Article 166 of the Constitution, the governor is the executive head of the state government. That is why all government orders come down with the announcement 'for the governor'. If the governor is convinced that a minister has taken a decision alone under Section 36B of the government's Business Rule, he may ask the Chief Minister to reconsider it before the Cabinet. Accordingly, the Cabinet should reconsider.

Ministers appoint personal staff on their own merits. That is why the governor announced that the staff's pension would be stopped. But if the cabinet approves the old decision, the governor will have to approve it. This is because under Article 163 of the Constitution, the Governor has the sole power to advise the Government.