Kerala Assembly witnesses unusual scene as CM ‘corrects’ Governor’s policy address

The Kerala Legislative Assembly witnessed extraordinary scenes on Tuesday (January 20, 2026) when Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan corrected the policy address made by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar after the latter had made his departure.

After seeing off the Governor, Mr. Vijayan returned to the Assembly and announced that Mr. Arlekar had made changes to paragraphs 12, 15 and 16 in the policy speech. While certain sections in the policy address were omitted, Mr. Arlekar made certain additions elsewhere, Mr. Vijayan said.

According to the speech approved by the Cabinet, paragraph 12 began thus: “Despite these social and institutional achievements, Kerala continues to face severe fiscal stress arising from a series of adverse Union government actions that undermine the constitutional principles of fiscal federalism.” In Mr. Arlekar’s speech, it was presented thus: “Despite these social and institutional achievements, Kerala continues to face severe fiscal stress arising from curtailment of advances.”

In paragraph 15, the Governor omitted the following section: “Bills passed by State legislatures have remained pending for prolonged periods. My government has approached the Supreme Court on these issues, which have been referred to a Constitution Bench.”

The Cabinet-approved section in paragraph 16 read thus: “Tax devolution and Finance Commission grants are constitutional entitlements of States and not acts of charity, and any pressure on constitutional bodies entrusted with this task undermines federal principles.” Mr. Vijayan pointed out that the Governor had prefaced this section with “My government feels…”

Staying true to the spirit of the Indian Constitution and the precedents of the Kerala Assembly, the speech as approved by the State Cabinet would prevail, the Chief Minister said. “The Governor addresses the Legislative Assembly at the start of the first session of a year. Since the Governor presents the policy of the State government in the House, paragraphs 12, 15 and 16 as approved by the Cabinet will prevail,” Mr. Vijayan said.

The English and Malayalam copies of the policy address that were distributed to the MLAs and the press remained the versions approved by the Cabinet.

Article 176 of the Constitution mandates a special address by the Governor to State legislatures at the commencement of the first session after a General Election to the Assembly and at the commencement of the first session of each year. Tuesday’s address by Mr. Arlekar marked the start of the first session of 2026 and the 16th and final session of the 15th Kerala Assembly. Kerala is due for Assembly polls later this year.

The CPI(M)-led Left government’s relations with Lok Bhavan has not been cordial in recent years. In January 2024, the previous Governor, Arif Mohammed Khan, had created headlines when he wrapped up his policy address in less than a minute. The government’s relationship with Mr. Arlekar had soured over a number of issues, including the delay in securing assent for Bills passed by the Kerala Assembly.

Last week, at a press conference announcing the 16th session, Speaker A.N. Shamseer had pointed out that 14 Bills were awaiting assent.