Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 28 (NationPress) The Kerala Lok Bhavan issued a strong denial on Wednesday regarding Assembly Speaker A.N. Shamseer's comments about a 'highly confidential' letter sent by Governor Rajendra Arlekar. They categorically dismissed the allegations, maintaining that constitutional propriety and established conventions were adhered to without fail.

In a statement, the Governor’s office expressed that it firmly rejects the Speaker’s assertions about how the communication was handled.

The statement clarified that the original letter was properly delivered to the Speaker and emphasized that there was no indication from Lok Bhavan that the letter's contents had been disclosed to the media prior to his receipt, countering the Speaker’s claim that the details were reported before he had access to it.

Furthermore, the Lok Bhavan criticized the Speaker’s choice to respond publicly.

"The rules and decorum do not allow for a press conference to address a letter issued by the Constitutional Head of the State," the statement noted, highlighting that the response itself was not in line with established institutional norms.

Reiterating the Governor’s actions, the Lok Bhavan statement affirmed that Arlekar has consistently maintained constitutional propriety, institutional dignity, and adhered to established conventions in his interactions with the Legislature.

The statement described public insinuations that question these principles without factual verification as 'regrettable' and cautioned that such remarks threaten the dignity of high constitutional offices.

This response from the Governor followed a day after Speaker Shamseer publicly expressed his discontent regarding the letter, which was marked 'highly confidential', and mentioned that he had personally overseen its opening.

The Speaker alleged that the letter sought video footage of a statement made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan after the Governor concluded his policy address and departed the Assembly, claiming he only received a 'copy' of the communication that seemingly reached the media first.

This situation arises amid an earlier controversy regarding alleged modifications to the Governor’s policy address delivered to the Assembly on January 20.

The Chief Minister had accused the Lok Bhavan of straying from the Cabinet-approved text, particularly regarding issues of fiscal stress, Centre–State relations, and pending legislation.

The Speaker sided with the government, asserting that the Cabinet-approved version would be treated as the definitive account.

Now, with the Lok Bhavan urging caution, responsibility, and respect for constitutional norms, this latest exchange marks an escalation in the ongoing standoff between the Governor’s office and the elected government, reigniting broader discussions on gubernatorial discretion, legislative privilege, and the delicate balance between constitutional offices in Kerala.