Governor-DGP meeting row deepens; Governor says he has constitutional authority to summon officials

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The controversy over Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar summoning State Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar to Lok Bhavan without informing the government has intensified. The Governor has asserted that he has the constitutional authority to call officials directly.

The row comes after Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan publicly expressed his displeasure, saying the Governor should not directly summon any official without the knowledge or approval of the government. He maintained that any information required by the Governor should be sought through the Chief Minister or the government.

Responding to the controversy, Governor Arlekar said the office of the Governor was a constitutional post that must be respected. He also said the Governor and the government should maintain a cordial relationship.

DGP Ravada Chandrasekhar, meanwhile, said he did not require the government's permission to meet the Governor.

The Governor had summoned the DGP on August 15 and sought action over the alleged assault on Sanskrit University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ciza Thomas during a Syndicate meeting. Police subsequently registered a case and arrested SFI activists.

'Governor's post is constitutional'

In a television interview on Friday, Governor Arlekar said that, whether people liked it or not, the Governor's office was a constitutional post and must be respected in all matters.

“Based on my limited knowledge of the Constitution, the Governor has the authority to summon officials,” he said.

'Meeting Governor is routine': DGP

DGP Ravada Chandrasekhar said it was normal for him to meet the Governor and brief him on law and order and intelligence matters.

“An At Home function was held at Lok Bhavan on the evening of August 15. I met the Governor in the afternoon to brief him about the arrangements for the event. It was then that he mentioned the complaint filed by Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas,” the DGP said.

He added that while serving at the Centre, he had also met the President and the Prime Minister to brief them on various matters.

“There is no need to turn this into a controversy,” the DGP told Kerala Kaumudi.