Kerala: Amid opposition walkout, governor reads 'anti-CAA' para in speech
Khan had previously said he would omit the paragraph using his discretionary powers
Khan had previously said he would omit the paragraph using his discretionary powers
Khan had previously said he would omit the paragraph using his discretionary powers
Khan had previously said he would omit the paragraph using his discretionary powers
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Wednesday faced protests by the opposition United Democratic Front, led by the Congress, in the State Assembly ahead of his policy address.
The move came amid the governor's statement that he would not read the 18th paragraph of the policy speech, which criticises the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. However, Khan did read the 18th paragraph that was critical of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, but he explained this was not his view.
Khan said, “I'm going to read this para (against CAA) because chief minister (Pinarayi Vijayan) wants me to read this, although I hold the view this doesn't come under policy or programme. CM has said this is the view of government, and to honour his wish I'm going to read this para.”
Earlier, holding placards against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, UDF MLAs prevented the governor from proceeding to his seat in the Assembly. Though Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan attempted to persuade the opposition to stop the protest, it was to no avail.
After nearly 10 minutes of protest, watch and ward personnel removed the opposition members using force and cleared the governor's way to the dais. As soon as Arif Mohammed Khan reached the dais, the national anthem was played but the opposition members gathered in the well of the House and started 'governor go back' slogans soon after it's completion. When Khan began his policy address, the opposition members walked out of the Assembly hall raising slogans.
Contentious paragraph
In a letter submitted to the government, Arif Mohammed Khan made it clear that he would omit the paragraphs using the discretionary power vested in him by the Constitution and Supreme Court rulings. Arif Mohammed Khan said that the state government's criticism of the CAA, which was passed by Parliament, was not a policy but rather its ‘view’.
As per the Article 176 (1) of the Constitution, the government's policy and programmes have to be announced in the Assembly. As ‘view’ is personal, the governor can omit the paragraph using his discretionary powers. In the letter, Arif Mohammed Khan also explained the meanings of policy, programmes and views by citing the details of a case involving the Arunachal Pradesh deputy speaker.
While pointing out that the protest campaign against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act was a major policy programme, the government had sought to know how it can be merely termed as a view.
UDF firm on recall
The UDF is firm that the resolution seeking the governor's recall should be taken up for discussions. The UDF parliamentary party meet on Wednesday morning will take decisions on further steps, including boycotting the governor.
The speaker has said that permission can be granted to the UDF resolution as per the rules. “There are rulings and submissions in this regard. The advisory committee will take a call on further action after checking with the chief minister,” he said.
(With inputs from onmanorama, PTI)