VD Satheesan| Photo: Mathrubhumi
Thiruvananthapuram: Taking a dig at the Pinarayi Vijayan government, Opposition leader VD Satheesan said that the post of the Chancellor of the state universities better suits the CPM party secretary than the chief minister.
The remarks come as a criticism against the government over Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan’s letter citing his displeasure in continuing the Chancellor’s post due to political interference in varsities.
According to a top source, Khan in a letter to the CM has even gone to the extent of asking him to amend the rules and take over as Chancellor. Incidentally, it was the first time that a Vice Chancellor in the state was given an extension after attaining superannuation and it came at a time when a controversy broke out that rules were violated in appointing the wife of Vijayan's private secretary to a teaching post at Kannur University.
Criticising the government over the letter, VD Satheesan claimed that this may be the first instance in the country where a Governor has to give a letter of such kind to the CM. This is something serious, he said.
“What is happening in the varsities is backdoor appointments. The universities are being converted into party cells. Chancellor post better suits to party secretary,” he said.
Satheesan shed a slew of allegations against the party CPM and targeted government. He alleged that state of higher education in Kerala is deteriorating. Academic arena and entire education is being affected by political interference by CPM, he said.
According to Satheesan, Governor reiterates things flagged by the Opposition. “CM always maintained a silence over the matter and now what is his response? People are curious to know about CM’s response to Governor’s allegations,” he asked.