THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Arif Mohammad Khan is likely to sign at least five of the eight bills withheld in the Raj Bhavan as part of his reconciliation with the government. The governor is likely to sign all but bills that intend to remove the governor as chancellor of universities and remove his power to appoint vice-chancellors.

The governor has summoned four ministers to meet him at the Raj Bhavan on February 23. He expressed his wish to the Chief Secretary to meet ministers R Bindu, P Rajeeve, VN Vasavan and J. Chinchu Rani. It must be noted that the governor expressed his wish after the Chief Minister wrote to him ask reminding him to sign the eight bills that have been withheld in the Raj Bhavan.

The governor, who will come to Thiruvananthapuram on February 23, will leave for North India on February 24. He will then return only in March. Sources said that the governor is planning to sign the bills before leaving for North India.

Five of the bills withheld by the governor are replacements for ordinances previously signed by the governor. According to Article 213 of the Constitution, even if the governor refuses to sign a bill that would replace an ordinance already signed by the governor, the ordinance's current provisions would remain in effect as long as the Legislature did not repeal it. Several bills, including the amendment to make Lokayukta orders reviewable by the Legislature, Chief Minister and Government and the University Appellate Tribunal Amendment, are bills issued in succession to the ordinance approved by the Governor.

Bills that are not likely to be signed

• Two amendment bills to remove the governor from the post of chancellor of universities and make academic experts as chancellors.
• The University bill to increase the number of members in the search committee to five in favour of the government

Will withdraw one bill if governor signs

• The government has offered that it will return to the Governor the power to appoint University Appellate Tribunal
• The amendment is for the government to appoint a retired judge instead of appointing a judge in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court.
• If the governor signs the bill, a repeal bill will be introduced in the Assembly to repeal it