Political Slugfest Erupts As Kerala Governor Accuses CM Vijayan Of Conspiracy To Hurt Him

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan ignited a political firestorm on Monday by accusing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of conspiring to physically harm him. The Governor's accusations stemmed from an incident where his convoy was allegedly attacked by activists of the Students Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the ruling CPI(M).

This incident, which took place while the Kerala governor was en route to the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to leave for New Delhi.

While addressing the media, Governor Arif Mohammed said,"...Police have been prevented from acting against these rowdies, criminals...This was the fifth incident...The rods on which they had the black flags, they were using those rods to hit the car...There are so many scratches on the car...Everything is being done under his direction (Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan). It is he who has hatched this conspiracy...These people are working on the instructions of the Chief Minister...I do not try to scare anybody, there is no question I shall be scared of anything..."

#WATCH | Delhi: On SFIs black flag protest against him, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan says, "...Police have been prevented from acting against these rowdies, criminals...This was the fifth incident...The rods on which they had the black flags, they were using those rods to… pic.twitter.com/nYOQIl91Ko

— ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2023

According to the police, Governor Khan's vehicle was blocked by SFI activists at one particular location. Seven members of the student organisation have been arrested in connection with that, police said.

Reacting strongly, Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar criticized Chief Minister Vijayan, attributing Kerala's challenges to the influence of Congress and Left parties.

This is not the #NavaKeralam that we want #NavaKerala according to @pinarayivijayan is welcoming Terrorist #Hamas, intimidating constitutional Governor, Rampant corruption, Destroying Economy, chasing investors, destroying jobs, filing cases against media & political opponents,… https://t.co/NF61driTbf

— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@Rajeev_GoI) December 12, 2023

"This is not the NavaKeralam that we want NavaKerala according to Pinarayi Vijayan is welcoming Terrorist Hamas, intimidating the constitutional Governor, Rampant corruption, Destroying the Economy, chasing investors, destroying jobs, filing cases against media and political opponents, beating up those who question him," he wrote on X.