Not politicising Governor's position, says Arif Mohammed Khan

As the battle between Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and the LDF state government continues, Khan said he is not politicising his constitutional position. He said he is ready to resign if any allegation against him is proven right.

"Where is the politicisation? I said that for the last three years, you have been saying that I have been implementing the RSS [Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh] agenda. Give me one name, just one instance where I have appointed anybody belonging to organisations whom you find troublesome politically, RSS, BJP. Give one name, whom I have appointed to any body or university, using my authority, I will resign. It can be politicisation... if one does such things. I have not done nor is there any pressure on me to do so," he told PTI.

The main conflict between Khan and the Kerala government is over the appointment of Vice Chancellors to the universities. On Tuesday, the Left parties of Kerala held a protest march to the Raj Bhavan. CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury claimed this is a situation where the office of the Governor is pitted against the state government.

"This matter of controlling education is an important aspect of the BJP-RSS political design to convert this secular democratic India into a fascistic Hindutva Rashtra of their liking and for that, they require to control education and the consciousness of our youth," said the Left leader.

Khan asserted that his job is to see that the business of the government is transacted in accordance with the law.

Speaking about his conflict with Finance Minister K N Balagopal, he said the Kerala minister is challenging the system and unity of India by stoking the fire of provincialism and regionalism. The finance minister had asked how a person born in Uttar Pradesh can have an understanding of the education system in Kerala.