Thiruvananthapuram: As the controversy brews over the CPM-led LDF government not inviting governor P Sathasivam to a function organized to commemorate the 60th year celebrations of Kerala formation day, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said it was due to "protocol issues".
Pinarayi, while addressing the inaugural function held at the assembly complex here, said the state government had not "forgotten" the governor as stated in some quarters.
"It is due to protocol issues, that a collective decision was taken on the matter," he said.
"If governor was invited, only a limited number of people could be accommodated on stage. But as you can see now, there are more than 60 persons from various fields, who are on the stage," Pinarayi said, clarifying the government's stand on the matter.Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala governor Justice (retd) P. Sathasivam has not been invited to the celebrations in connection with the 60th anniversary of Kerala Piravi (state formation day).
It is learnt that Justice Sathasivam delayed his Chennai trip by a day in order to take part in the function. He had planned to travel to Chennai on Monday for the wedding of a relative. But he postponed the trip to Tuesday evening, hoping to receive the invitation for the event.
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"Questions have been raised from various quarters why the state governor, who is the head of the state, has not been invited. As a function being organized by the state assembly, naturally, we discussed the matter with the Opposition leaders also," he said.
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"First we thought of inviting the governor. Then the issue of protocol came up. If governor is in the venue, only a limited number of persons can be accommodated", he added.
Year-long programs have been lined up as part of the diamond jubilee celebrations and a function 'more attractive', will be held later in which the governor will be invited, Pinarayi said.
"It could be held either in the middle of the year or as a valedictory function. So, we have not forgotten the governor. I wish to inform you this here," he said.
Meanwhile, a Raj Bhavan source said propriety demands that the head of state has a role in state's diamond jubilee celebrations function.
"The fact that there was no role for the head of the state at the function, there is lack of propriety. The governor was neither informed about the function nor invited", the source said.
However, Sathasivam, who left for Chennai Tuesday morning, has not expressed any discontent over the issue to the state government.
Invite to the late AC Jose
Meanwhile, in a grave error, the officials sent an invite to late former Kerala assembly speaker A.C. Jose. A form for availing travel allowance also was attached with the invitation in the name of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan.
(With agency inputs)