Thiruvananthapuram: The state administration requested Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Monday to inaugurate the three-day Loka Kerala Sabha public gathering, which serves as a common forum for Keralites globally. However, Khan turned down the request.
As per the sources here, the Governor expressed his views when Chief Secretary V Venu brought the letter from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to Raj Bhavan.
Khan, who has been at odds with the Left government on various issues, raised concerns about allegations made against him by CPI(M) leaders and the protests staged by its student and youth activists in public places, including blocking his vehicle movement in the state, during the chief secretary’s visit, PTI reported.
Sources said he was upset with the ministers who publicly declared their support for the activists protesting against him, encouraging them as democratic actions.
During the meeting, the Governor questioned the sudden change in the government’s approach towards him and declined the invitation, also pointing to the lack of similar invitations for other government programmes like ‘Keraleeyam’, they added.
The fourth Loka Kerala Sabha, aimed at the cultural, socio-political, and economic integration of Malayalees residing outside the state, is scheduled to take place from June 13 to 15 at the Kerala Assembly complex.