THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the letters sent by Higher Education Minister R Bindu to the Governor seeking the dissolution of the search committee and the re-appointment of Dr Gopinath Raveendran as Kannur University VC surfacing, the ongoing dispute between the Governor and Kerala government is likely to get caught in a legal tangle. These letters will be crucial in the case challenging the appointment of Kannur VC in the High Court. As per the law, the appointment made by the governor after accepting the unauthorized recommendation of the minister may get cancelled. Both the government and the minister will face the heat if the governor gives an affidavit in the high court stating that the order was issued under pressure.

All governments usually express their interest in appointments orally through a messenger. However, Minister Bindu broke this routine by writing the letter.

The legal issues will not end even if the Chief Minister goes directly to the Raj Bhavan to persuade the governor to settle the controversy. The Chancellor's illegal appointment on the recommendation of the minister will also be questioned in court.

First letter (November 22: Letter 401/2021)

'Under the leadership of Dr Gopinath Raveendran, Kannur University has become one of the greatest and most prestigious universities in the country. Therefore, Gopinath Raveendran should be given another term as Vice-Chancellor. If he continues, it will be extremely beneficial to the university. There is no impediment to giving re-appointment under Section 10 (10) of the University Act. Age is not a barrier. Requesting to cancel the notification issued on October 27 to form a search committee to find VC and to re-appoint Gopinath Raveendran as Vice-Chancellor for a second term,' the minister wrote.

Second letter (November 22: Letter 406/2021)

'Kannur University Vice-Chancellor Dr Gopinath Raveendran's term ends on November 23. Action was taken to cancel the notification inviting applications to select the VC as per the written instructions of the Governor. Recommending the re-appointment of Dr Gopinath Raveendran as VC from November 24 by using my rights as Pro-Chancellor of Kannur University,' she wrote in the second letter.