India, Aug. 15 -- In a fresh display of the growing rift between Kerala Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues on Friday boycotted the traditional 'At-Home' reception hosted by the Governor at Raj Bhavan as part of Independence Day celebrations.

Although invitations had been extended to the Chief Minister and all ministers, none of them attended the evening function.

The state government was represented only by Chief Secretary A.Jayathilak.

The absence of the political leadership is being widely seen as a public reiteration of the ongoing tensions between the Governor and the state administration.

The friction between the two sides has sharpened in recent months ...