Thrissur: Noted poet and critic K. Satchidanandan on Friday resigned from his position as president of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi in a move linked to the change in state government.

Satchidanandan arrived at the Akademi in connection with a Vyloppilly memorial event, where he formally announced his decision to step down from the post.

Speaking to reporters, he said it was customary for individuals holding such positions to vacate office following a change in government.

“It is natural that people holding similar posts vacate them following a change in government. I have come here to vacate the position,” he said.

Satchidanandan had served as the head of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi for the past four years, and his tenure was originally scheduled to end in May this year.

His resignation comes after a period of controversy during the Assembly election campaign, when he reportedly stated that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government should not return to power, drawing political attention at the time.