THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Arif Muhammad Khan has directed the Raj Bhavan officials to set aside four controversial bills, including the amendment to the Lokayukta Act, which is crucial for the government. The governor gave this direction when the bills were brought up for scrutiny yesterday.

The governor has signed 7 of the 11 bills passed by the legislature. The bills that have been set aside by the governor are Bill cancelling decision to leave Waqf Board appointments to the PSC, the merger of Malappuram District Bank with Kerala Bank, the Lokayukta amendment bill and the University amendment bill. The governor may sign the first two of these if the ministers or department secretaries arrive at the Raj Bhavan and give an explanation. However, he is not likely to give a nod to the Lokayukta and University Amendment Bills.

The governor, who left for Hyderabad last night, will return on 11 after attending some programs in Delhi and Dehradun. After that, the Chief Secretary or ministers may visit the Raj Bhavan and request him to sign the bills. If the Lokayukta Act is not amended, the old Act will remain. If the Lokayukta gives an adverse verdict in the relief fund misappropriation case against the Chief Minister and the ministers, the government will be in crisis. The Lokayukta can issue a verdict that public servants, who are found guilty of corruption, are unfit to hold official positions. This is how KT Jaleel had to resign as a minister after being found guilty in a nepotism case. The position of the governor is that if the University Laws (Amendment Bill) becomes law, he will be bound to accept the government's recommendation and the independent nature of the appointment of VC will disappear. The governor has the power to withhold bills and to send them with the assent of the President.