THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ongoing battle between the government and the Governor has become a fresh battle involving the Constitution as the cabinet's ordinance to remove the Governor from the post of chancellor of universities reached the Raj Bhavan yesterday for approval.

The Governor had earlier stated that he would not sign the ordinance against him and would leave it for the consideration of the President. The Governor was on his way to Delhi before the ordinance reached the Raj Bhavan yesterday. He is likely to take further action only after returning on November 20. However, the Raj Bhavan will take steps to seek verification and legal advice. The Governor's argument is that if the bill is sent to the President, then the government cannot bring the bill to the assembly without the President making a decision or sending the bill back. Regardless of the future of the ordinance, the government has decided to bring the bill to the House. The government says it has received legal advice for that.

The legal advice received by the government is that there is no legal backing to sending an ordinance to the President on a matter under the jurisdiction of the state. With this, the incident became a constitutional issue. The government brought the ordinance to remove the Governor from the post of chancellor and replace him with those who have proved their excellence in the academic field.

What next
1. The governor can withhold the bill without signing it even if it is passed by the assembly. Four bills are currently on the governor's desk. In effect, the government will not be able to remove the governor from the post of chancellor immediately even if the assembly passes the bill.

2. The government is planning to use the Governor's action of withholding the bills as a weapon against the governor and create positive sentiment. A legal battle will start over how long the governor can withhold the bills passed by the assembly

Three charges against the governor (mentioned in Ordinance)
1. The lack of proper intervention by the Governor in the case of universities is leading to an administrative crisis

2. The Governor has withheld 26 files and 46 amendment proposals submitted by the universities for approval

3 Obstructing the functioning of Vice Chancellors