KL this Week: LDF, UDF Slam Governor, HNL Taken Over by LDF Government

In yet another controversial move, the governor of Kerala informed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that state finance minister K N Balagopal has ceased “to enjoy” his pleasure. However, Vijayan rejected any possibility of removing his finance minister, stating that it is the prerogative of the CM to decide on such matters.

Governor Arid Mohammed Khan said, in a letter, “Reported statements of Kerala FM KN Balagopal are a violation of the oath I had administered to him. A minister who deliberately violates the oath and undermines the unity and integrity of India can’t continue to enjoy my pleasure.”

A gruesome murder of a 23-year-old woman by her former friend has terrified the state. Shyamjith, a 25-year-old youth, has been arrested in the case.

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) government has completed the takeover of Hindustan Newsprint Limited from the Uion government and saved the organisation from the clutches of privatisation.

The protest against the Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) continued despite the government's assurance on addressing livelihood issues, except for the halting of construction works.

Eldhose Kunnapilly, the Congress MLA, has obtained interim bail in the sexual harassment case. The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has handed over six months suspension to the legislator from the party.

'NO POWER TO WITHDRAW PLEASURE'

The governor of Kerala continued to clash with the LDF government and issued a letter stating his 'withdrawal of pleasure' from finance minister Balagopal. The LDF and United Democratic Front (UDF) constituents have rejected the governor's action.

The governor has been on a collision course with the government on several issues, including the higher education department.

The finance minister had spoken about the demonstration by universities in the state and the role played by the higher education institutions in the development of the state. He also referred to violent incidents in campuses of Uttar Pradesh, which reportedly irked the governor.

However, major parties, with the exception of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have rejected the governor's actions, referring to the rights entrusted to the CM and elected government by the constitution.

The Communist Party of India’s (CPI) Kerala state secretary, Kanam Rajendran questioned the actions of the governor and asked how the governor can interfere when a democratically elected government is functioning as per the constitution.

The Congress, after being divided over the actions of the governor, came out strongly and condemned his actions. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) announced that the party does not accept the stance of the governor.

SHOCKING MURDER

The gruesome murder of 23-year-old Vishnupriya, a pharmacist in Kannur district, by her former friend has shocked many. The murderer Shyjith, a 25-year-old friend of the girl, was arrested hours after the brutal killing.

She was killed while talking over the phone near her house. The police found that the murderer had planned to kill the youth from Malappuram as he had befriended her.

KERALA TAKES OVER HNL

The LDF government, in its attempts to save the public sector undertakings (PSU) from being privatised by the Union government, has taken over the HNL. The organisation has been named Kerala Paper Products Limited (KPPL) and will commence production from November 1.

The printing of 45 gsm newsprints will begin in the initial phase, followed by the manufacturing of 42 gsm newsprints. Around 3,000 employment opportunities are expected to be created through the plant.

AVIAN FLU IN ALAPPUZHA

Around 20,000 birds were culled in Alappuzha district after the avian flu was detected. More than 1,500 ducks died from the flu in Haripad municipality, following which the culling operations were started.

The National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) confirmed the presence of H5N1 virus.

Birds around one-kilometre radius were culled by teams formed by the department of animal husbandry. The transporting of birds, meat and egg were banned in the locality following the outbreak.

VIZHINJAM PROTESTORS UNRELENTING

Despite the LDF government fulfilling the demands of the fisherfolk, their protest around the Vizhinjam harbour continues. The members of the fishing community stormed the project site on the 100th day of the commencement of the protest.

A boat was set on fire, reportedly by the protestors after entering the construction site through sea and road.

V Sivankutty, minister for education hailing from Thiruvananthapuram district had said that the government had ensured the implementation of all the protestors’ demands.

HUMAN SACRIFICE: PROBE ON

The police have started an enquiry into the missing organs of the human sacrifice victims in Pathanamthitta district. The accused trio has been sent to police custody and they are permitted to meet their lawyer.