Kerala Governor alleges being used by CM Pinarayi Vijayan following court verdict

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has alleged “pressure tactics” by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the re-appointment of Gopinath Ravindran as Vice Chancellor of Kannur University, following the Supreme Court’s rejection of the appointment. Mr. Khan claimed that the Chief Minister’s Office exerted influence through a purported legal advisor.

Post the court’s verdict, Mr. Khan criticized the Chief Minister, stating that the “whole pressure was from Chief Minister’s Office.” He clarified that it was not the Education Minister but an individual claiming to be the Chief Minister’s legal advisor who approached him.

The Kerala government and Chief Minister Vijayan have not responded yet, while the Leader of the Opposition, VD Satheesan, has called for the resignation of the Education Minister. The court rebuked both sides, citing “unwarranted intervention” by the state and accusing Mr. Khan of abdicating statutory powers.

The court did not assess the candidate’s suitability but emphasized that the Chancellor, Mr. Khan, had the competence conferred by law, and no other person should interfere with this statutory authority.

The ongoing discord between the Kerala government and the Governor over Vice Chancellor appointments dates back to October 2022. In December, the Kerala Assembly passed a bill replacing the Governor as Chancellor with academicians, a move contested by Mr. Khan.

The Supreme Court criticized Governor Arif Khan for not acting on bills passed by the legislature, including the University Laws Bill. The bill’s non-assent has led to a legal challenge from the state government, prompting a plea for guidelines on governors’ actions concerning bills.