THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Minister V Muraleedharan said that the new ordinance introduced by the Kerala government was aimed at making the Lokayukta, which stands up against corruption, a mute spectator. According to Muraleedharan, it was paradoxical that the CPM, which had consistently opposed the ordinances of the Centre, was remaining silent on the ordinance aimed at reducing powers of the Lokayukta.

"It is clear that the Governor was forced to clear the ordinance despite the opposition from the CPI. Even though the Congress leaders are aware of the procedures adopted by any governor holding a constitutional position, they are behaving like narrow-minded people by dragging the Governor's office to controversies for signing the ordinance," he said.

The Governor signed the ordinance a day after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had appraised Khan of the circumstances that led to an ordinance to amend the Lokayukta Act in the state.