Kerala Minister Balagopal refrains from reacting to governor’s move

The Chief Minister has responded to it. It is inappropriate for me to comment on it now,” ” he told media

Thiruvananthapuram: Finance minister KN Balagopal refrained from reacting to the governor’s move of seeking his removal from the cabinet

“I haven’t seen the letter of governor Arif Mohammed Khan. The Chief Minister has responded to it. It is inappropriate for me to comment on it now,” ” he told media here on Wednesday. He also said that he is not sure if such development has happened in any other state in the country.

The Governor on Wednesday asked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to remove Finance Minister KN Balagopal from the cabinet. In the letter he pointed out that, he ‘withdrew pleasure’ for Balagopal to continue in the office, citing recent remarks by the minister against the governor.

As per Article 164 of the Indian Constitution,the Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister, and the Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of of the Governor. Earlier, KN Balagopal openly criticised the governor during a speech and remarked that those hailing from “Uttar Pradesh won’t understand the situation in Kerala.” The statement is said to have irked governor.