Kerala Assembly budget session begins today with policy address by new Governor Arlekar

The 15th Kerala Assembly's new session officially begins today, January 17, with a policy address by the newly appointed Governor, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. This will set the stage for the Assembly’s business in the coming weeks.

Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal is set to present the Kerala State Budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year on February 7. The Assembly will meet for a total of 27 days, concluding on March 28.

All eyes on Governor Arlekar’s address

There is particular attention on Governor Arlekar’s policy address, especially given the drama surrounding his predecessor, Arif Mohammed Khan. Khan's address last year was the shortest in Kerala's history, lasting under 90 seconds. This brief speech reflected the ongoing tension between him and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, which also played out in Khan's refusal to sign key bills, leading the state to seek the Supreme Court’s intervention.

Unlike the cold reception to Khan's departure, Governor Arlekar's arrival has been marked by a more cordial atmosphere. Chief Minister Vijayan personally welcomed Arlekar at the airport, signaling a potential shift in the tone of governance. Arlekar has expressed a clear intention to work collaboratively with the Kerala government, stating, “My job is to assist the Kerala government, and I am not going for any confrontation.”

Governor Arlekar’s bold, early moves

Despite his emphasis on cooperation, Arlekar has already made some bold moves. Before leaving his home state, he visited Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai, which could have political implications.Just hours after taking office, Arlekar also expressed displeasure over the transfer of police officers linked to Khan, ordering their reinstatement at Raj Bhavan.

It remains to be seen whether Arlekar will continue to engage in confrontational politics, or if his governance will focus more on collaboration with the state government.