Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Raj Bhavan on Wednesday firmly rejected Assembly Speaker A N Shamseer’s claim that a “highly confidential” letter sent to him by the Governor was first received by the media, asserting that the original communication had been duly delivered to the Speaker.

In a statement, Raj Bhavan said it “categorically rejects and strongly refutes” Shamseer’s assertion, adding that the Governor’s office had not noticed the letter being published by any media outlet. It maintained that the original letter was properly served on the Speaker.

Raj Bhavan also expressed displeasure over the Speaker’s public response to the communication, stating that it did not appreciate the manner in which a letter from the constitutional head of the state was addressed.

“The rules and decorum do not permit a press conference to reply to such a letter,” the statement said.

The Governor’s office stressed that it had consistently adhered to constitutional propriety, institutional dignity and established conventions in its communications with the legislature.

“Public insinuations questioning these principles, without verification of facts, are regrettable and undermine the decorum of high constitutional offices,” the statement said.

Urging restraint and responsibility, Raj Bhavan said future discussions on sensitive matters should be guided by facts and propriety rather than conjecture.

Speaker’s remarks a day earlier

On Tuesday, Shamseer described it as “ironic” that a “highly confidential” letter from the Governor had allegedly reached the media before him and said he would not respond to it.

He stated that if the Governor’s office wanted a reply, the letter should be delivered to him first and not to the media, with only a copy subsequently sent to him.

“If a letter is given directly to us, a reply will be given. If it is given to the media first and we only receive a copy, then no reply will be given,” Shamseer said.

Context of the communication

The issue relates to a letter from Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar seeking visuals of the policy speech delivered by the Speaker in the Assembly on January 20, marking the start of the budget session.