Kannur: A controversy has erupted surrounding a syndicate member, who is also a CPM politician, greeting Dr. Bijoy S. Nandan, the new temporary vice-chancellor of Kannur University, with a bouquet upon his arrival to assume office at the university on Tuesday.

Last week, following the Supreme Court verdict annulling the reappointment of Dr Gopinath Raveendran as Kannur Vice-Chancellor, the Kerala Governor appointed Dr Bijoy S Nandan as temporary VC. The move is the latest in the edition of the ongoing differences between the Kerala Governor and LDF government over appointments in the varsities in the state. 

CPM District committee member N. Sukanya received Dr Bijoy when he came to take charge the other day with a bouquet of flowers. 

SFI and CPM workers staged a protest in the past when Ciza Thomas was appointed as the temporary Vice Chancellor of the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University. The activists refused to let Thomas assume office at the varsity. 

In the case of Kannur University, the Kerala Governor made a swift decision by appointing a temporary Vice Chancellor without consulting with the state government.

When Dr Bijoy arrived at the university, he was received with bouquets by a group led by Sukanya, leading to the controversy.