Kerala Guv Ends Policy Address in Less Than 2 Mins, Reads Only First And Last Paras, Leaves Assembly

The faceoff between Kerala governor Arif Mohammed Khan and the state government intensified with the former’s address in the legislative assembly on Thursday. Khan read only the first paragraph of the policy address and directly went to the last paragraph, and left the assembly in four minutes.

After abruptly leaving the assembly, he did not respond to any queries from the media. Opposition leader VD Satheeshan said this was quite unfortunate and an insult to the legislature.

The CPI(M)-led government’s stand is that since the governor read the first and last paragraphs, he has technically read the policy address.

The last paragraph, as the governor read it, stated: “Let us remember that our greatest legacy lies not in buildings or monuments, but in the respect and regard we show to the priceless legacy of the Constitution and the timeless values of democracy, secularism, federalism and social justice.”

He further read: “The essence of cooperative federalism is what has kept our country united and strong all these years. It is our bounden duty to ensure that this essence is not diluted. Together as part of this varied and beautiful nation we will weave the tapestry of inclusive growth and responsible resilience, overcoming all the challenges that are thrown our way.”

Among the parts that Khan did not read were about the NCERT deleting certain portions and how the state government had added textbooks to include these portions. He also did not read parts criticising the Centre with regard to revenue sharing and alleged imbalance between union and state in fiscal matters.

Here are the parts the governor did not read:

• “While the curriculum reforms are progressing at the national and state levels, the NCERT excluded certain portions of the Class VI and XII textbooks. The main portions excluded by NCERT include Mughal history and Partition of India, martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhi, five-year plan, Emergency, popular struggles in India, social conditions in India and caste system. Therefore, Kerala launched additional textbooks in humanities to ensure real historical and social awareness to children. Six additional textbooks were released in four subjects.”
• “The fact that the Union possesses a significantly greater capacity to mobilise resources compared to the states, while the states are mandated to undertake developmental expenditures that far surpass their revenue-generating capabilities points to a great asymmetry within India’s federal system. Over time, this has further intensified, constraining the fiscal position of the states.”
• “Kerala witnessed a decline in its share of taxes devolved by the Union Government from 3.88% during the 10* Finance Commission period (1995-2000) to a mere 1.92% during the 15 Finance Commission period (2021-2026). In 2023-24, the discontinuation of GST compensation, a reduction in revenue deficit grant, and restrictions imposed on ‘off-budget’ borrowings of the state by the Union exacerbated the fiscal condition of the state. The state has been constrained to approach the Hon’ble Supreme Court for a solution to the financial impasse thrust on the state.”

“We, the opposition, think it’s an insult to the legislature. The address is prepared by the government, approved by the cabinet and he approved that is why he came to the legislature,” Satheeshan said.

He said the political drama has been ongoing between the governor and the state government for the past several months. “The anti-central agitation and the anti-governor agitation are all political dramas. From Day 1, we have taken a position against the governor and the government that has been our stand,” he added.

Excise and local self-government minister MB Rajesh said as the governor has read out the first and last paragraph, he has technically delivered the statement on his policy address.

“Technically, it is not wrong and constitutionally also he can do that. Opposition might not have read the policy statement. The final paragraph, which the governor has actually read out, says the Constitution has to be upheld and it talks about secularism and democracy. So these are the values this government upholds and this is the policy of LDF in Kerala. Opposition leader has been saying this for some time. It is a political statement,” Rajesh said.