Governor Arif Mohammed Khan concluded his challenging tenure in Kerala and left for Bihar on Sunday, where he is set to assume the office of the Governor. His time in Kerala was marked by frequent clashes with the state government, particularly over issues like the appointment of vice-chancellors at universities.
Due to the national mourning for the passing of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Kerala government did not organize a formal farewell for Khan. Neither Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan nor any cabinet members were present to bid him farewell. Despite this, Khan was given a ceremonial guard of honour before leaving.
Emotional moments unfolded at the Raj Bhavan as Khan shared a parting embrace with staff members, with some touching his feet as a gesture of respect. In contrast, when Khan's predecessor, P Sathasivam, left five years ago, the Chief Minister and his colleagues had personally escorted him to the airport.
As Khan’s motorcade passed Pettah junction, activists from the Student Federation of India (SFI), who had clashed with him during various protests, waved him off. However, the outgoing Governor refrained from engaging in any controversies during his departure.
When asked about his strained relationship with the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, Khan clarified that his actions, including his role as the chancellor of state universities, were in line with his constitutional duties. On the absence of an official farewell, Khan expressed understanding, citing the nationwide mourning for Manmohan Singh.
Khan also acknowledged the differences between himself and his predecessor, stating that both their personalities and working styles were distinct. As Khan heads to Bihar, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, the outgoing Governor of Bihar, will assume the position of Kerala’s new Governor on January 2.
