Kerala guv denies permission for special assembly session to reject farm laws

Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Tuesday turned down the CPI (M)-led Kerala government’s request to convene a special session of the assembly to pass a resolution against the Centre’s new farm laws.

Earlier, the Governor had sought clarifications from the Kerala government on the recommendation to convene a special session. The state government obliged, but Governor Arif Mohammad Khan was not satisfied with the response, so he denied permission. The Governor said there was no emergency situation to warrant a special session on such a short notice.

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The Congress was critical of Khan’s decision. “He is acting like an agent of the BJP. His decision is not acceptable. It is the prerogative of the house to decide whether an issue is urgent or not,” said Congress deputy leader in the house K C Joseph.

The ruling CPI (M) has not reacted so far. Since the party and its government is mired in several alleged corruption cases, the CPI (M) is not likely to take the Governor head on.

The government was planning a one-hour session on Wednesday to pass a motion to reject these laws.

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The BJP termed Kerala government’s call for a special assembly session a “politically motivated decision”. “It is nothing more than a political gimmick. It is as futile as passing a resolution against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA),” said minister of state for external affairs V Muraleedharan. The 140-member house has a lone BJP legislator.