THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Friday left Kerala without signing the controversial bills even after five ministers came to him and requested to sign the bills. The governor, who left for Hyderabad on Friday evening, will reach Delhi after attending programs in Kolhapur and Ahmedabad. He will reach Kochi and Thrissur on March 2 and go back to Delhi. He will return to Thiruvananthapuram only in the second week of March. The Raj Bhavan officials had reminded the governor about signing the bills when he returned from the Malanada temple in Kollam. However, he replied that he will take a decision later. 'Kerala Kaumudi' had reported yesterday that the Governor would not sign the controversial bills.

Ministers R Bindu, P Rajeev, VN Vasavan, J Chinchu Rani and V Abdurahiman came to the Raj Bhavan and requested him to sign the bills. However, the governor refused to sign any of the controversial bills such as the Lokayukta, the removal of the Chancellor and university law amendment bills.

Although Minister P Rajeev explained that the Lokayukta amendment was modelled after the Lokpal Act, the governor replied that the government has malicious intent regarding it. According to the governor, the amendment is a threat to the existence of the Lokayukta. He said that the amendment will create a situation for the government to make a judgement on its own case. He also said that it can be used as a weapon to hunt down the opposition.