THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, said that the universities in the country are facing unprecedented challenges. Communal forces inimical to constitutional values are trying to vest control of the universities. He said that the government is trying its best to counter such challenges. The CM was speaking at a mass convention by the left to protest against the Governor’s intervention in higher education.

Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, accused the Sangh Parivar is trying to establish its agenda in the universities and trying to destroy the right of self-governance in such institutions.

He also criticized the Governor and said that as the Chancellor, he has no special privilege under the constitution and has only the privilege according to the rules of the university. Action against the Vice Chancellors can be taken only under the University Act.

The CM said that the Governor is intervening beyond the Cabinet and thinks that he is above the judiciary. This is a transgression over the power of the legislative. Pinarayi Vijayan also said that the Governor thinks that all the power in the land is centralized in him.

This is why the Governor is threatening that he will withdraw his pleasure. The CM said that a Cabinet and a legislative assembly are there to decide on such matters.

He continued that the Governor is trying to form a parallel government. He is conducting a press meeting at the Raj Bhavan and demanding that a minister must be ousted. He is removing Senate and Syndicate members. He is also telling the police what to do. There is a Cabinet and an elected government to decide what the police must do. If someone thinks that it is he who must do all this, then those thoughts must be kept in the mind only, said the CM.

Pinarayi Vijayan also added that the Governor is trying to use the power that is not vested in him. At one point the Governor said that he would not sign the bills, then he said he has not studied it and after that he signs the bills. These things are against the constitution. This is an affront to the powers and rights of the legislative assembly.

The Governor does not have the right to delay ordinances and bills indefinitely. The CM added that the constitution does not allow any alternatives other than the Governor signing the bills.