Opposition boycotts Governor's address in Kerala assembly

In Kerala, the Congress-led opposition on Friday boycotted Assembly amid Governor Arif Mohammed Khan delivering the opening address to mark the beginning of budget session. The Governor, however, continued his policy speech despite the Opposition raising anti-Governor slogans ahead of the boycott. Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan  told media outside the House that the Governor is colluding with the State Government and misusing his power. He alleged that the Governor played a part in the controversial appointment of the Vice-Chancellor of Kannur University and paved the way for corruption by signing the Lok Ayukta Ordinance.  
Outlining Government's achievements in his address that lasted over an hour, the Governor Khan urged the Centre to give nod to the State's Semi High Speed Rail Corridor project. Khan said the prevailing economic distress in the country was exposed by the farmers' agitation against new farm legislation. The agitation was a reflection of the acute deprivation among the workers and farmers in the rural and urban settings which necessitates immediate intervention. Khan said his government was hopeful that the Union Government will come up with an inclusive strategy to address the rural and agrarian distress.