Ministers arrive at Lok Bhavan to meet Governor to try and reach consensus on selecting VCs 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ministers have reached Lok Bhavan to meet Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to try and reach a consensus on selecting the vice chancellors for Kerala Technological University (KTU) and Kerala University of Digital Sciences (DUK). Ministers R Bindu and P Rajeev have reached Lok Bhavan. The ministers are meeting the Governor as the matter is scheduled to be considered by the Supreme Court tomorrow.

The Supreme Court had earlier clarified that the court will decide the VCs if the Governor and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan do not reach a consensus on the issue. It is in this context the ministers have reached the Lok Bhavan to try and reach a consensus. It is not clear whether both sides will agree.

The Governor had recommended Dr Ciza Thomas, strongly opposed by the chief minister, as the VC of the Technical University. Dr Priya Chandran has also been recommended as the VC of the Digital University. The affidavit was submitted earlier.

The chief minister considered the names of Dr Saji Gopinath as the VC of the Digital University and Dr C Satish Kumar as the VC of the Technical University. Two search committees were formed under the chairmanship of retired Supreme Court Judge Sudhanshu Dhulia for the appointment of VCs of both the universities. The Governor and the chief minister are fighting on the names from the list provided by them. The chief minister had clarified in the file handed over to the Governor on October 14 that Cisa could not be recommended.