Thiruvananthapuram: Governor P. Sathasivam has replaced the names of two CPM nominees with that of two Sangh Parivar sympathisers in the list of chancellor’s nominee to the Kerala University list.
The names removed were that of Shiju Khan and G. Sugunnan.The list was forwarded by Kerala University Vice-Chancellor V.P. Mahadevan Pillai to the governor in his capacity as chancellor for ratification. Usually, the practice is to approve the name of nominees forwarded by the Vice- Chancellor without any changes.
The governor's action has kicked up a political storm with the CPM coming out against the decision saying that the governor was acting on the behalf of the Sangh Parivar.
G. Sugunnan, the former CPM leader..... who returned to the party recently was recommended to the senate by the vice-chancellor in his capacity as a prominent advocate. He was replaced by Sangh Parivar sympathiser G. Muraleedharan from Kollam in the list approved by the Governor. The reason given by the Raj Bhavan was that Sugunan did not have the experience to be nominated as a prominent advocate. DYFI leader Shiju Khan was included the list in the post earmarked for a writer. However, the governor nominated Sangh Parivar sympathizer A.M. Unnikrishnan, a college teacher. The reason given for the same was that Shiju Khan was not a noted writer. Sources said that if those criteria were to be accepted, Unnikrishnan and Muraleedharan too cannot be nominated.
Both Sugunan and Shiju Khan are syndicate members of the Kerala University at present. The plan of the CPM was to get them elected to the syndicate as the nominees of the senate once again. This plan has received a setback through the action of the governor.
The CPM Secretariat in a statement alleged that the decision followed pressures from the RSS. The CPM also alleged that the governor had selectively removed persons from the minority community from the panel at the behest of the Sangh Parivar. The governor has misused the responsibility wrested with him in the capacity of the chancellor with political motives. This action has brought discredit to the high office he held. All those who believed in democracy should protest against the action.
