CPI attacks Kerala Governor over use of Bharat Mata portrait with saffron flag at Raj Bhavan

Thiruvananthapuram: The Communist Party of India (CPI) has stepped up the attack against Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar over the use of Bharat Mata picture with saffron flag at the Raj Bhavan.

While CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar urged President Droupadi Murmu to recall the Governor, CPI state secretary Benoy Viswam said that the post of Governor should be abolished.

CPI will be carrying out planting of saplings across the state by holding the national flag on Saturday as a mark of the campaign against Arlekar as the row was in connection with the environment day celebration at Raj Bhavan.

Sandosh Kumar said in a representation to the President that Arlekar openly acted in a partisan and unconstitutional manner and there by diminished the dignity of the Governor's office. Hence he should be recalled.

Viswam said that the CPI would strongly resist any attempts to politicise the Raj Bhavan and make it a headquarters of the RSS.

Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front is accusing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for maintaining silence on the Governor insisting on keeping the Bhrat Mata picture with saffron flag at the Raj Bhavan during the environment day celebrations of the state government planned on Thursday.