Karnataka: Governor snubs CM Siddaramaiah, but the battle is just not over yet

MYSURU/BENGALURU: Is Governor Vajubhai Vala trying to emulate his predecessor Hans Raj Bhardwaj, resulting in tension between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and himself?

Mr Vala, who recently returned the ordinance on trifurcation of BBMP forcing the government to table the KMC (Amendment) Bill in both Houses of the state legislature, has yet again forced Mr Siddaramaiah to recommend afresh names for the key post of chairman of KPSC and three members by rejecting a list, including the name of former Chairman of the Legislative Council V R Sudarshan, sent about six months ago.

On Wednesday, Mr Siddaramaiah subtly communicated his resentment over Mr Vala's decision, saying "for us, Sudarshan is an eligible candidate," adding that the government would recommend four names for the post of Chairman of KPSC.

In addition, the Governor has also returned files related to appointment of vice chancellors of all the six universities, including Sanskrit University, in the city. Official sources said all these universities have officiating vice chancellors for one year.

The state government set up a search committee six months ago for every university, and all of them have submitted their reports to the higher education department. The Governor, however, has returned all files related to appointment of new vice chancellors to the government on grounds that three names short-listed for each university should be sent to him by the government instead of just one.

Meanwhile, an academician who has made it to the list in one university, said in utter disappointment: “We cannot do anything but just wait for the official order. The wait has been getting longer. It's six months now, but the order has not come.”