THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The LDF government removed the governor from the post of chancellor of Kalamandalam deemed university by revoking the executive order issued by the Oommen Chandy government during its last days. On November 12, 2015, the Oommen Chandy government issued an order granting the post of chancellor to the governor. That is what this government has now repealed.

The appointment was for five years. Although the governor can continue for one more term, it needs a separate order. However, the Left government had initially decided to let the governor continue as chancellor without a special order considering the constitutional status of the governor. Although the governor continued for two more years after his tenure ended, this government did not issue an order granting a second term. Now, the government hit back at the governor by revoking the order of the Oommen Chandy government.

The order issued by the Oommen Chandy government expired on November 12, 2020. But there was no serious clash between the governor and the government at that time. However, after bringing an ordinance to remove the governor from the post of chancellor in other universities, the government used this loophole in the case of Kalamandalam deemed university.

The sponsoring authority of Kalamandalam is the state government. Therefore, the government can appoint the chancellor through an executive order. Accordingly, in 2015, the Oommen Chandy government issued an order making the governor the chancellor.