VD Satheesan
Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition leader VD Satheesan rubbished the ongoing feud between Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and State Government and termed it a fake encounter to fool the public. He also criticised the Kerala Governor for demanding the Chief Minister remove Finance Minister KN Balagopal from the cabinet.
Earlier on Wednesday, Governor 'withdrew pleasure' for Balagopal to continue in the office, citing recent remarks by the minister against the governor. However, Pinarayi Vijayan outrightly denied the demand.
"Governor has used the power that he doesn't have. The 'encounter' between the governor and state government is fake. It is aimed to deceive the people," he said.
He pointed out that a governor has no right to withdraw a minister and his letter to this effect does not have any value.
"This is nothing but a drama and the two are hand in glove to divert from issues where the CPM leaders are caught in misconduct cases, the law and order situation in the state is appallingly poor, prices are skyrocketing and the two are playing foolery to tell the people that they are against each other, but they are hand in glove," said Satheesan.
At the same time, he pointed out that CPM's call for a protest against Governor was originally intended to oppose the Supreme Court verdict on quashing the appointment of the VC at APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University. The 'fake encounter' is aimed at saving the government from other issues, he said.
(with inputs from agencies)