Kerala Governor lost energy after LDF protests: CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan

“Thereafter, he has not been able to take a similar stand. He did not have the same energy as he had and he is not going to regain that energy,” the senior CPI(M) leader said on the occasion.

He was referring to the march by the LDF to the Raj Bhavan in November last year to protest against Khan’s action on universities and Bills.

Govindan said the stand taken by Khan with regard to the functioning of universities, including the appointment of Vice-Chancellors and Pro-Vice Chancellors, as well as other matters of the government, also led to differences erupting within the UDF.

Views differ within UDF

While one section of the UDF — Congress — supported the Governor’s stand, another comprising the Muslim League and the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) was not in agreement with Khan’s views, Govindan said.

He further said the Congress supported the Governor’s stand not because it agreed with him, but the reason that it was opposed to the Left front.

The Governor and the ruling Left in the state have been at loggerheads over various issues, particularly regarding the functioning of universities and appointments being made there.

The row led to the government passing a bill for removing the Governor as Chancellor of universities and replacing him with top academicians.

The bill passed on 13 December last year, has reached the Governor for assent but is pending approval with Khan saying it rests with authorities superior to him.

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