The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] appeared reluctant to pursue a confrontational course with Governor Arif Mohammed Khan despite his brooding warnings on Saturday about a possible constitutional crisis if the "administration persisted in attempting to impose its will" on Raj Bhavan.
A party insider said the Left Democratic Front (LDF) would not play into the hands of the Congress or the BJP.
Both parties desired a constitutional breakdown by amplifying the government's perceived disaffection with the Governor.
The CPI(M) felt it was politically expedient to appear "capitulating" to Mr. Khan than risking a constitutional situation on the eve of the Assembly session.
If Mr. Khan had boycotted the policy address, it would have arguably counted as a constitutional crisis with scarce precedent.
CPI(M) leader A. K. Balan appeared to reflect the view when he claimed that the government had saved the day by averting a stalemate.
"The Governor convened the Assembly. Hence, he could not possibly stay away from the House. The government and Raj Bhavan were fully aware of the fallout of such an outcome. Therefore, both parties made suitable amends and salvaged the situation. In a way, the government protected Mr. Khan by striking the right course of action", he said.
However, CPI publicly disagreed with the government's handling of the crisis. CPI State secretary Kanam Rajendran struck a hardline by stating that the government "should not have yielded to the Governor".
He stressed the need for national legislation to abolish the "ceremonial post". Mr. Rajendran said an RTI query would reveal the tour expenses incurred by the Governor, who argued for financial frugality.
Leader of Opposition V. D. Satheesan, was equally unsparing in his criticism of Mr. Khan. He alleged Mr. Khan had frequently shifted political sides and was inconsistent in his opinions. "I need not take political instruction from Mr. Khan", he said.
Earlier, Mr. Khan had said that Mr. Satheesan was new to public office and could perhaps learn political propriety from his betters, Oommen Chandy and Ramesh Chennithala.
Union Minister for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan, slammed Mr. Satheesan for attacking Mr. Khan at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's behest. "Mr. Satheesan rarely showed the same vehemence in criticising the government", he said.
