THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The governor will face the government's case in the Supreme Court, citing constitutional protections. The Governor is exercising the powers under Articles 361 and 200 of the Constitution. The Governor has received legal advice to inform the Supreme Court that there are no legal issues in withholding the Bill as the Constitution does not specify a time limit for signing it. The Governor also thinks that the Supreme Court may not send a notice. There was no notice in similar cases of other states.

The constitution does not say within what time the governor has to take a decision on the bill. The Bill does not lapse even after the Assembly is dissolved. That is why the Constitution Bench has clarified that no time limit has been fixed.

Article 200 states that decisions should be made on bills as soon as possible. The governor's argument is that the bills are being withheld because they are illegal and made with bad intentions. The governor also says that some bills are meant to bypass the Supreme Court orders. In addition to the 8 bills that were taken up by the Supreme Court, 13 more bills are to be signed by the Governor.

Controversial bills will be left to the President

At the same time, the governor may send controversial bills including Lokayukta and Chancellor Bills to the President for consideration. The President will seek the opinion of the Centre. There will be no central opinion against the Governor. The President's decision will also be delayed. After the governor arrives from Delhi on the 5th, he is also likely to sign the finance bill. The unsigned bill may not be sent back to the government. The governor has to sign the bill if the legislature reconsiders it and sends it back to the governor. That is why it is withheld.

Governor's Reasons

1) Abolition of Chancellor (Bill 2)

There will be political exuberance in the varsities. There will be no autonomy

2)Five member search committee

A scam to make the government's followers VCs

3) Lokayukta Amendment

The Lokayukta's order can be rejected by a majority in the Assembly

4) Varsity Tribunal

Retired District Judge can be appointed by making the High Court helpless

5) Public Health Bill

Neglect of AYUSH, protests by doctors except allopathy

Lokayukta amendment

• Amendment in section 14 which allows the Lokayukta to declare public servants unfit to hold official positions if their corruption is proven
• The governor's assessment is that if the bill becomes a law, the existence of the Lokayukta will be threatened
• The Lokayukta's order can be rejected by a majority in the Assembly. The Lokayukta can also be used as a weapon to hunt down the opposition
• The Lokayukta Bill was introduced in 1999 after obtaining the President's assent. The Governor said that the President's approval is required for the amendment also

Chancellor's Bill

• A bill to remove the governor from the post of chancellor of universities and make academicians as chancellors
• The government can appoint anyone who is an expert in education, agriculture, medicine, social sciences, history, public administration, law and arts as chancellor.
• The Governor had said that he would send the bill to remove him from the position of Chancellor to the President. He is of the opinion that since it affects him people above him should decide