NEW DELHI: In its petition, the state government has requested that the Supreme Court direct Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan to take a decision on the bills withheld by him. The Supreme Court Registry sought an explanation as to why the Governor was made a direct party. The Standing Consul of the State replied that the Governor holding the constitutional position is responsible for making the decision.

In a situation where the Supreme Court has taken a strict stand, this coming Friday will be crucial for Arif Mohammad Khan as the court will hear the case that day. It is known that the Governor has received a copy of the petition.

Senior Malayali lawyer and former Attorney General KK Venugopal is representing the LDF government. Apart from Punjab and Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, which are ruled by opposition parties in the country, have filed petitions against their governors in the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court Registry sought an explanation from Kerala's Standing Consul CK Sasi as to why the Governor was made the opposite party. He replied that constitutionally it is the governor who has to fulfill that responsibility.