THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Wednesday urged Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to sack Finance Minister KN Balagopal. He has written to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan demanding this.

Arif Mohammad Khan's unprecedented move comes after the Governor-Government clash in connection with the universities went to court. In his letter to the Chief Minister, the Governor said that he was insulted by the Finance Minister's speech and that he withdraws his pleasure for the minister to continue in office.

Immediately after receiving the letter, the Chief Minister rejected the Governor's demand. The Chief Minister's reply stated that the Finance Minister's speech did not belittle the Governor or the Raj Bhavan and was not a violation of the Constitution. The Chief Minister replied that the demand should be withdrawn.

KN Balagopal had recently criticized Governor Arif Mohammad Khan. During a speech, the minister said that the people of Uttar Pradesh will not understand Kerala which has irked the governor.