Lok Bhavan : Rejects Speaker’s Claims Over Governor’s Letter and Assembly Address
Lok Bhavan : has dismissed allegations made by the Kerala Assembly Speaker regarding the handling of a letter sent by the Governor, asserting that claims of a “confidential” communication being shared with the media are unfounded. The governor’s office described the assertions as inaccurate and said they risk undermining established constitutional practices.
Lok Bhavan Denies Media Disclosure Allegation
In a statement released on Wednesday, Lok Bhavan firmly rejected the Speaker’s contention that a confidential letter from the Governor had been circulated to the media before being formally delivered. The Governor’s office clarified that the original letter was duly served to the Speaker and that it had no information indicating the document had appeared in any media outlet.
According to the statement, the governor’s office found the public response to the letter inappropriate, particularly the decision to address the matter through a press conference. Lok Bhavan emphasized that established rules and conventions do not permit such correspondence between constitutional authorities to be discussed publicly in that manner.
Emphasis on Constitutional Protocol and Decorum
Lok Bhavan underlined that the Governor has consistently followed constitutional norms, institutional dignity, and long-standing conventions in communications with the legislature. It noted that public suggestions questioning these principles, especially without verifying facts, are regrettable and risk eroding the decorum expected of high constitutional offices.
The statement urged public representatives to exercise restraint and responsibility when addressing sensitive institutional matters. It added that discussions involving constitutional communication should be guided by accuracy, propriety, and respect for established procedures rather than assumptions or speculation.
Call for Responsible Public Discourse
The governor’s office further expressed hope that future exchanges on such issues would reflect an awareness of constitutional boundaries. Lok Bhavan stated that adherence to facts and mutual respect is essential to maintaining the credibility and smooth functioning of democratic institutions.
The message also highlighted the importance of preserving the integrity of official communication channels, especially when dealing with correspondence that carries constitutional significance.
Clarification on Policy Address Amendments
Separately, Lok Bhavan addressed concerns surrounding amendments made to the governor’s policy address during the ongoing State Assembly session. On Tuesday, the governor’s office defended the changes, stating that they were made following discussions with the state government.
According to Lok Bhavan, the governor had requested the removal of what were described as “half-truths” from the draft policy address. The state government, the statement said, agreed to this suggestion and allowed the Governor to prepare and deliver the address with the necessary revisions.
Dispute Between Raj Bhavan and State Government
The issue gained prominence after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan accused the Governor of making unilateral additions and deletions to the policy address that had already been approved by the Council of Ministers. The Chief Minister urged the Legislative Assembly to recognize the Cabinet-approved version as the official policy document.
This disagreement triggered a broader debate over the respective roles of the Governor and the elected government in finalizing the policy address, a document that traditionally reflects the government’s priorities while being delivered by the constitutional head of the state.
Lok Bhavan’s Explanation of the Revision Process
Responding to the controversy, Lok Bhavan stated that the Governor’s concerns were communicated during the drafting stage. The government, according to the statement, indicated that the Governor was free to incorporate the suggested changes and proceed with the address accordingly.
It was also conveyed that the revised speech would be resent after accommodating the amendments proposed by the Governor’s office. Lok Bhavan maintained that the process followed constitutional conventions and mutual understanding between the two offices.
The Governor’s office reiterated that its actions were aimed at ensuring accuracy and clarity in the policy address, while respecting the constitutional framework governing relations between the executive and the legislature.