Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Monday accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of conspiring to physically hurt him. The accusations have stemmed from an incident where Khan’s convoy was allegedly attacked by activists of the Students Federation of India (SFI), a student wing of the ruling CPI(M).

#WATCH | Delhi: On SFI’s black flag protest against him, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan says, “…Police have been prevented from acting against these rowdies, criminals…This was the fifth incident…The rods on which they had the black flags, they were using those rods to… pic.twitter.com/nYOQIl91Ko

While addressing the media, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said that there is a concerted effort at play to cause him physical harm, implying the involvement of Chief Minister Vijayan. He further stated that the incident was not an accident, but rather a deliberate act targeting him individually, ANI reported.

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“It is the CM, he is conspiring and he is sending these people to hurt me physically. The constition seems to be collapsing. The collapse of the constitutional machinery cannot be allowed,” the Governor said.

According to the Governor, his vehicle was surrounded, and protesters, allegedly directed by the CM, waved black flags and hit the vehicle.

“It is the Chief Minister, I am saying it clearly, who is conspiring and sending these people to hurt me physically. The ‘goondas’ have taken charge of the roads of Thiruvananthapuram,” Khan said.

“When they came, I stopped my car and I got down (from my car). Why have they fled? What have I done? Because I do not wish to be pressurised by their tactics, therefore they are trying to threaten me. They are trying to scare me. I am not the person to take things lightly,” the Governor said.

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Khan also accused the state police of colluding with them under the direction of the Chief Minister. He alleged that the goons were brought at the site of the incident in police jeeps. “Why did the police let them get there? It was because there were brought in their jeeps,” Khan told the media.

“They (protestors) came before my car. They hit my car from both sides. The window pane was broken. I got down. Will they (police) allow anyone to come near the car of the Chief Minister? Police knew them but what can the police do when the CM is directing them? When I got down they all got into their jeeps and they ran away. The Chief Minister’s program is going on. Is it possible that people will bring cars and they will bring protesters than them?” Arif Mohammed Khan asked.

Raj Bhawan sources said that black flags were waved at Governor Khan at three places and his car was hit by protesters at two of them, PTI reported.

According to the police, Governor Khan’s vehicle was blocked by SFI activists at one particular location. Seven members of the student organisation have been arrested in connection with that, police said.

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Reacting to the incident, Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar strongly criticised Chief Minister Vijayan, questioning the state’s deteriorating law and order situation. He further claimed that a developed and prosperous Kerala can only be achieved if the state breaks free from the influence of both the Congress and Left parties.

This is not the #NavaKeralam that we want #NavaKerala according to @pinarayivijayan is welcoming Terrorist #Hamas, intimidating constitutional Governor, Rampant corruption, Destroying Economy, chasing investors, destroying jobs, filing cases against media & political opponents,… https://t.co/NF61driTbf

— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@Rajeev_GoI) December 12, 2023

“This is not the NavaKeralam that we want NavaKerala according to Pinarayi Vijayan is welcoming Terrorist Hamas, intimidating the constitutional Governor, Rampant corruption, Destroying the Economy, chasing investors, destroying jobs, filing cases against media and political opponents, beating up those who question him,” he wrote on X.

(With inputs from ANI)