The leading Congressman hopes for Arif Mohammed Khan's continued tenure as Governor of Kerala

Kottayam (Kerala): Five years after Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan took office, a senior Congressman from the state expressed hope that he would retain his post for another term, saying Khan's presence had been felt throughout his tenure.

Senior Congress MP and former Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan expressed his wish that Khan remains in office while both attended a programme organised as part of the Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations at the famous Suryakaladi Mana (a traditional house of the Namboodiri Brahmins, which is also the abode of Sree Maha Ganapathy) on Wednesday evening.

“I pray that the Governor stays here in Kerala for the next five years too. No one who has come to Mana and left the atmosphere of prayer has ever experienced hardship. I know very well that they have only made progress towards improvement.

“I am firmly convinced that the governor, who has now completed five years in office, can continue in office as the head of state,” Radhakrishnan said.

Khan, the guest of honour at the event, responded with a smile.

As the remark made headlines, Radhakrishnan reiterated his stance to the media on Thursday when asked for a response.

“In the five years he was in office, his presence was clearly felt. Some think that is right, some think that is wrong,” said the MP from Kottayam.

He said the decision on extending his term rests with the central government and the president.

“There are people in Kerala who want an extension of his tenure. I believe that Arif Mohammed Khan has goodness in his heart. This goodness should be used in a positive way for the welfare of the society. In this regard, there is no doubt that he deserves an extension,” Radhakrishnan said.

Khan, whose five-year term ended on Thursday, had an eventful tenure as governor, frequently at odds with the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government on a number of issues, including the functioning of the state's universities, of which he is chancellor.