Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan wants Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to take action against state Finance Minister KN Balagopal, after nine vice-chancellors demanded resignations. The Governor has written to the Chief Minister informing that Balagopal has “stopped enjoying happiness” after he allegedly made ‘divisive’ remarks during his speech at the University of Kerala.
The governor accused Balagopal of making speeches that undermine unity, and urged the CM to take constitutionally appropriate action against his cabinet colleague, which was later turned down.
In his letter to the chief minister, the governor alleged that Balagopal made a speech at a university campus here on October 18, seeking to stomp the fire of regionalism and provincialism and dilute unity. India And he was left with no option but to point out that the finance minister had “stopped enjoying my happiness”.
The governor cited a newspaper report that Balagopal said at a function at the University of Kerala that “people who come from places like Uttar Pradesh may find it difficult to understand the universities of Kerala”.
Balagopal, a former Rajya Sabha MP, reportedly continued to say, “Five students were shot by security guards of the Vice Chancellor of Banaras University. Then I was an MP and went there. The Vice-Chancellor had 50 to 100 security guards. The same is the case with many universities out there.”
Describing Balagopal’s alleged statements as nothing less than a breach of oath given by him, Khan directed Vijayan to take action which was constitutionally justified.
The Governor in his letter had not explicitly sought Balagopal’s removal/withdrawal from the LDF cabinet, but this seemed to be the gist of his communication to Vijayan.
Citing newspaper reports of October 19, the governor alleged the comments made by Balagopal and the state higher education Minister R Bindu’s statement at a function held at the Karyavatam campus of Kerala University was “clearly aimed at maligning the Governor’s image and lowering the dignity of the Governor’s office”.
The governor said in the letter, “But most disturbing were the remarks made by the Finance Minister, which try to ignite the fire of regionalism and provincialism and if allowed to go unchecked, they are detrimental to our national unity and integrity.” and may have harmful effects”, the governor said in the letter. ,
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The Governor said, “The above remarks of the Finance Minister tries to create a rift between Kerala and other states of the Indian Union and presents a false impression as there are different systems of higher education in different states of India”. . Khan alleged that Balagopal’s alleged statements were nothing less than a breach of oath given by him.
“A minister who deliberately violates the oath and undermines the unity and integrity of India cannot enjoy my pleasure. In these circumstances, I am left with no option but to state that Balagopal has taken my has stopped enjoying happiness”, the governor said and hoped that the chief minister would “seriously consider the matter and take action which is constitutionally justified”.
Khan also claimed that Balagopal’s claim has no basis as higher education in all the states of India is subject to the UGC Regulations which not only issue guidelines for the conduct of the affairs of universities but also provide substantial monetary support. . The Acts/Laws of Indian Universities are more or less same and the Universities of Kerala have Vice Chancellors from outside the State.
The Governor in his letter to the CM said that the NAAC grading of our universities is also evaluated by non-Kerala peer teams. Khan said the finance minister’s remarks not only challenge the national unity and integrity, but also the constitutional convention that mandates that the governor of every state be from outside the state.
He said that even Balagopal is unaware that Banaras Hindu University is a central university and does not come under the administrative control of Uttar Pradesh government, it has more vice chancellors from other states including southern than Uttar Pradesh.
CM reaffirms confidence in FM
An official source told PTI that the chief minister has written to the governor rejecting the demand for action against Balagopal.
A highly placed source said that in his reply, Vijayan said that from the constitutional point of view and keeping in mind the democratic traditions and traditions of the country, the statement cannot form a ground for nullifying the enjoyment of the governor.
According to the source, Vijayan said the governor would appreciate that no further action is required in the matter.
This is the first such move by the Governor after the Raj Bhavan PRO tweeted on October 17 that the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers have the authority to advise the Governor, but may invite statements of individual ministers that undermine the dignity of the office of the Governor. There are actions including the “return of happiness”.
With inputs from PTI.
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