The ongoing conflict between Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI (M)]-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government is poised to intensify further with the selection of members to the Senate of Kerala University becoming the new point of contention.
The Raj Bhavan faced criticism from left organizations for disregarding multiple recommendations made by the university for the nomination of 17 members representing various constituencies to the Senate on Friday. The nominees, they alleged, include members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), and other BJP-affiliated organizations. Sources claimed that only two or three nominations made by the university were accepted by the Governor.
This controversy echoed a similar situation unfolding in Calicut University, where the Governor’s nominations prompted CPI (M) State secretary M.V. Govindan to accuse him of “orchestrating an illicit tie-up between the Sangh Parivar and the United Democratic Front (UDF) to gain control of universities.”
This development could open the door for the BJP to secure positions in the Syndicates of both universities for the first time.
The nominations made by the Governor in various constituencies include individuals from different backgrounds, such as high school headmasters, school teachers, a senior scientist from a research institution, representatives from cultural associations and chambers of commerce, as well as professionals from various industries and fields such as authors and journalists.
The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations accused the Governor of abusing his authority by appointing members with ties to the Sangh Parivar to crucial decision-making positions, instead of considering more qualified and reputable candidates.