THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The controversy over the saffron-flagged portrait of Bharatamba in the Raj Bhavan is escalating. Governor Rajendra Arlekar is adamant that the portrait will not be removed from there under any circumstances. CPI, which has written a letter to the President demanding the recall of the Governor, is preparing to intensify its protest. As part of this, CPI will plant a tree in all its branches on Saturday and protest.

Left leaders are criticizing the Governor for allegedly saffronizing the Raj Bhavan. The opposition alleges that the Chief Minister is being soft on the Governor. They are demanding that the Chief Minister convey his objection to the Governor in the Bharatamba controversy. However, the Raj Bhavan is of the opinion that the government is creating unnecessary controversy. The Governor, who has taken a firm stand that the picture will not be removed, is unhappy with the government's approach.

The friendship between the government and the governor was shattered by the dispute over the installation of the picture of Bharatamba at the Environment Day celebration stage organized by the Agriculture Department at the Raj Bhavan. The minister called the governor's secretary and requested that the picture and floral tributes be avoided. The reply was that it was not possible and that the final decision on matters at the Raj Bhavan rested with the governor. Undaunted, Minister Prasad cancelled the event with the permission of the Chief Minister and held an alternative event at the Durbar Hall of the Secretariat.

The Governor also hardened his stance by holding an Environment Day celebration at the Raj Bhavan stage. The controversial portrait of Bharatamba was recently purchased by the Raj Bhavan from a shop in Thiruvananthapuram on the instructions of Governor RV Arlekar. The picture was used in other states' formation day celebrations as well.