Fresh tiff between LDF and governor, minister walks out

Kerala's Left Democratic Front (LDF) government and the newly appointed state governor have embarked on a collision course, bringing back memories of the former governor's pitched battle against the state government, with the Minister for Education V Sivankutty walking out of a function at the Raj Bhavan on Thursday, objecting to the display of a Bharat Mata (Mother India) portrait on the dais.

- AM Abdussalam

The incident occurred during the Rajyapuraskar Award distribution ceremony for Bharat Scouts and Guides, jointly organised by the state government and the governor's office. Addressing a press conference later, Sivankutty said he raised an objection upon seeing the image placed alongside the ceremonial lamp. “Since I was scheduled to deliver the presidential address, I first congratulated the awardees. But I also made it clear that displaying the image of Bharat Mata at a government function is inappropriate,” the minister said. He then registered his protest and walked out of the event, presided over by Governor RV Arlekar.