Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan rejected Governor Arif Mohammad Khan’s demand to sack Kerala Finance Minister KN Balagopalan.
There is an ongoing conflict between the Pinarayi Vijayan-led ruling government and Governor Arif Mohammed over the appointment of vice-chancellors in Kerala universities. An amendment bill in this regard has been passed in the Legislative Assembly and sent to the Governor for assent, but it is pending.
In this case, Kerala Governor Arif Khan had said a few days ago that if the ministers criticize him and make comments, their posts will be taken away. As part of this, Kerala Finance Minister K.N. Governor Arif Mohammad Khan had written a letter to the state government this morning demanding Balagopal’s removal from the post. The Governor had recommended his removal in response to Minister Balagopal’s remark that “people from Uttar Pradesh cannot understand Kerala”. In this case, the state chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that he will reject the governor’s request.