Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan set a record for the shortest policy speech in the state’s Assembly, with a speech lasting a little over one minute on January 25. The previous record was held by Governor Jothi Venkatachalam in 1982, with a six-minute address. Governor Khan’s brief speech drew attention as he concluded after reading only the first and last paragraphs.
While Governors have the flexibility to make additions or omissions to the prepared speech, Khan’s exceptionally brief address prompted discussion in the Assembly. The constitutional requirement mandates the Governor to address the State Assembly at the commencement of each session, making this an unusual event in the state’s legislative history.