ASHAMED THAT KERALA'S MAIN SOURCE OF REVENUE IS LIQUOR AND LOTTERY

As the tussle between the governor and the gov-ernment continues, the Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet removed Governor Arif Mohammad Khan as chancellor of Kerala Kalamandalam, deemed to be university, amending the rules of the institution.

- NIRMAL JOVIAL

The ruling Left Democratic Front plans to replace Khan as chancellor of all state universities, as well. An ordinance to this effect was sent to the Raj Bhavan on November 12. As the governor is unlikely to clear the ordinance, the government is proceeding with the unusual move of convening an assembly session in December to pass a bill to that end.

Law Minister P. Rajeev said that even if the governor kicked the ordinance upstairs to the president, there were no legal obstacles in passing the bill in the assembly. If an assembly session is convened in December, the government will also be able to avoid the governor’s customary policy address to the house in early 2023.

 The LDF is also trying to ramp up political pressure against Khan. Under the banner of a non-political forum called Vidyabhyasa Samrakshana Koottayma (Save Education Forum), the front on November 15 organised a massive rally outside the Raj Bhavan, accusing the governor of acting against Kerala’s interests. The government, however, faced a major setback after the Kerala High Court quashed the appointment of K. Riji John as vice chancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, citing procedural violations. The verdict would strengthen the governor’s position that there has been executive interference in the matters of state universities.