In Kerala, let the media do its job

The governor of an Indian state enjoys a dignified position and is respected by politicians and people of the state alike irrespective of the political party he or she belongs to, for he is the titular head of state like the President is the first citizen of the country. He has a crucial role to play in guiding the state on the democratic and secular path while ensuring that the values enshrined in the Constitution are adopted in the true spirit.

In God’s Own Country, Kerala, the fierce confrontation between Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, an appointee of the BJP led Central government, and the Left Democratic Front government seems to be going from bad to worse with every passing day. After the varsity controversy in which Khan did not take kindly to the appointment of some individuals he considered close to the ruling dispensation, the latest row is over the manner in which the governor treated media representatives attending a press conference on Monday.

The governor reportedly told representatives of two media channels to leave the venue which has now become a raging controversy with media organisations and journalists across the country saying the governor had no right to do so and has violated democratic norms. Most people know that there is no love lost between the Left parties which rule Kerala and the BJP which has been struggling for many decades to gain a foothold in the state without achieving much success.

The saffronists do not even have a MLA in the 140 member Assembly and are desperately trying to expand their base in the state, known for its liberal and secular traditions. So the tussle between Khan and the LDF government led by Pinarayi Vijayan is on expected lines but it now seems to be crossing all bounds with the legal advisors of the governor quitting and an aggressive CM Vijayan accusing the Centre of using governors in non-BJP ruled states to encroach on the powers of those governments and legislatures when horsetrading is not possible.

Do such standoffs do any good to the cause of democracy where a harmonious relationship between the governor and the chief minister is an absolute must to implement development programmes, secure funds from the Centre and make sure the institutions of democracy function in the true spirit of federalism? The Left government enjoys a comfortable majority in the Assembly and there is no scope, at least in the near future to topple it by means fair or otherwise.

The next Assembly poll are due in May, 2026-a full 4 years away and so one fails to understand why this unsavory episode is unfolding in Kerala politics, whichever side is to blame for it. The sagacity of politicians and parties comes to the fore when they start seeing people’s welfare and problems rising above petty political considerations. There are times when leaders may have to think beyond political barriers to ensure that the common good is achieved and the fruits of development reach every citizen.

A confrontationist approach is the last thing one wants when it comes to ties between the governor and the government. And why interfere in the functioning of the Fourth Estate which is essentially doing its job of gathering and disseminating news? The less we have of such controversies the better, for we Indians would like to get on with our pursuit of happiness, unaffected by such conflicts which tend to weigh on our minds. Is it too late to retrieve the Kerala situation and make sure Khan and Pinarayi are back on the best of terms? There is no indication of that happening going by the signals emerging from both camps.