No consensus reached; Governor firm on VC Appointment, seeks reason for CM’s absence

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The talks held between Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar and government in the dispute over the appointment of vice chancellors, failed to reach a consensus. Although Ministers P Rajeev and R Bindu met the Governor at the Lok Bhavan, the Governor is firm in his stand that those chosen by him are deserved. The Governor also asked the ministers the reason for the chief minister’s absence.

The government tried to reach a consensus with the governor following the directions from the Supreme Court. The apex court also warned that it would make the appointments itself if they failed to reach an agreement. This was clarified by a bench led by Justices J B Pardiwala and Prasanna B Varale.

Two search committees chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Sudhanshu Dhulia were formed for the appointments of vice chancellors for Digital and Technical Universities. The Governor and the Chief Minister are fighting over the names from the list they provided. In the list submitted by the chief minister for the post of VC of the Digital University, Dr Jin Jose and Dr Priya Chandran are in the third and fourth place. The chief minister included the names of Dr G R Bindu and Dr Priya Chandran in the second and third place as VC of the Technical University. However, the Governor pointed that Dr Ciza Thomas and Dr Priya Chandran should be appointed. This led to the dispute.