THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Arif Muhammad Khan on Thursday scripted a new history in India for delivering the shortest-ever policy address speech from a Governor. By reading just two paragraphs, the governor winded up his address in just 1:24 minutes, leaving both ruling and opposition members stunned. The governor stayed on the dais for just 2;45 minutes which also included time for the national anthem.

This was Governor Arif Muhammad Khan’s last policy address in Kerala, as his tenure is ending in September of this year. Governor Khan is known for his former 2-hour-long speech inside the Kerala assembly, so it was a surprise for many as he curtailed the speech in a hurry.

Hitherto, the record of the shortest policy announcement in Kerala was held by Jothi Venkatachalam. The speech which was finished in 4 minutes took place on January 29, 1982. During this time, the governor entered through the back door of the old legislative building due to a big protest and she read just the first and last paragraph of the policy address. Emulating Jothi Venkatachalam, Governor Khan just read the first and last paragraph of the policy address to cut it short.

1. On January 25, 1995, Governor Basavaiah Rachaiah ended his speech in 12 minutes due to ill health.

2. In 2018, Governor P. Sadashivam carefully omitted a paragraph criticising the central government while reading the policy address.

3. Acting Governor Hansraj Bhardwaj had omitted four paragraphs each in 2012 and 2013.

4. Pattom A. Thanu Pillai who was the governor of Andhra Pradesh fell ill on March 20, 1967, the day of the policy announcement, thus avoiding the policy addressing while the speaker was deputed to take the role of reading it.