Thiruvananthapuram 9 Aug : A serious damage control measures have been initiated in Kerala government in order to calm Governor Arif Mohammed Khan who, on Monday did not sign any official document that was not reading it. As a result 11 Ordinances, which were waiting for his approval to re-promulgate expired since the last day for their renewal was on Monday.The ordinances also include one that amends the Lok Ayukta Act.
In February, Khan had inked this and with the Assembly not approving the Bill in the end, the Ordinance was withdrawn, leaving Vijayan in a bind since there is a matter in the Lok Ayukta against Vijayan in the manner he managed the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund.
Vijayan breathed his sigh of relief following the modification of the rules by the Ordinance in February.
Then , the opposition of the Congress had called Khan and asked Khan not to endorse the Ordinance because it is against the Constitution in addition, the the Leader of Opposition V.D.Satheesan had sent two letters to Khan in which he urged him that he must intervene and make sure the proposed amendment.Ordinance is not signed since it would transform the body ‘quasi-judicial’ to one that can only bark, but not bite.
Now, if the matter against Vijayan comes back to light before the Lok Ayukta he might be in for trouble, and urgent interventions are being planned in order to calm Khan.
The Left convenor E.P.Jayarajan on Tuesday stated that with the Governor’s refusal to sign the Ordinance there is nothing more that needs to be looked into.
“There is no conflict between the Govt and the state.
Situations that are extraordinary will be converted to normal ones, and if there are any issues, everything will be resolved,” said Jayarajan to the media.
Khan who was in Delhi on Monday angered the Delhi Police by saying that he requires time to put his mind to learn all the Ordinances handed to me.
Moving on, he stated that governing through Ordinances isn’t a good idea in the democratic system and in the past media used to be critical of the former president Fakrudhin Ali Ahmed would sign every Ordinance without looking into the matter, and when the media wanted him to Ato to do the same.
In addition, Khan who is on tour in the country is scheduled to be back in the capital city on August 12th.
The Vijayan government is hoping that the issues will be resolved over when he returns.
A source who are close to the government point out that Vijayan is likely to make a phone call to Khan on the 12th or next day, and is optimistic of saving the situation.
So all eyes are focused on Khan.
In 2021 alone the state had 142 Ordinances floated in the state, and from this year to date, 14 have been enacted.
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