THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition Leader VD Satheesan told reporters that the UDF will oppose the amendment bill curtailing the powers of the Lokayukta and the bill that reduces the power of the Governor in appointing VCs.

“There has been a huge loss of face to the higher education sector in the state on account of merit being given the go by and relatives of Left leaders secured jobs. Consequent to this, the once high quality of education for which Kerala universities were known have been badly affected as there are reports of huge number of Kerala students leaving the state to colleges abroad. The opposition will not take sides in the fight between the government and the governor. They may come to an agreement at any time. We do not support calling the VC a criminal from the position of governor. However, we had pointed out that the appointment of this VC was irregular. It is also illegal for the Higher Education Minister to send a letter to the Governor requesting that the search committee be cancelled and the VC be reappointed. Based on the minister's letter, the re-appointment of the VC was done by the governor. The opposition had to clash with the governor for pointing this out. Later, the same governor said the appointment was irregular. In that case, the governor should have fired the VC or asked him to resign. However, instead of doing it, he reached an understanding with the Chief Minister." Satheesan said.

"It appears that the government has reserved teaching posts in all universities for relatives of CPM leaders. Just like non-teaching appointments in universities were left to the PSC during the UDF government, nepotism can be avoided by leaving teaching appointments to the PSC," Satheesan added.