The ongoing standoff between Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan escalated as the Chief Minister did not extend an invitation to the Governor for the customary Christmas-New Year lunch. Furthermore, the Congress-led Opposition, invited to the lunch, boycotted the event as a form of protest against the Governor's alleged high-handedness and his manner of functioning.
The annual lunch, hosted by the Chief Minister, traditionally includes invitations to the Governor, state ministers, political leaders from various parties, prominent figures, and senior officials. However, this year, the exclusion of Governor Arif Mohammed Khan marks another low point in the already strained relationship between the two leaders.
The public exchanges and clashes between Governor Khan and Chief Minister Vijayan have been ongoing, taking various twists and turns over time. The situation has now reached a critical juncture with both leaders openly criticizing each other.
In a noteworthy incident, last Friday, during the swearing-in ceremony of two new ministers, Chief Minister Vijayan and Governor Khan reportedly refrained from exchanging greetings, highlighting the deepening discord between the two political figures. The ongoing tension adds a layer of complexity to the political landscape in Kerala.
(With Agency Inputs)
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