Days after Governor Mohammed Arif Khan sought to step down from the role of Chancellor of universities citing pressure to do things in “total violation of rules and procedure”, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday said there was no plan to take away these powers from Governor Khan.
Vijayan was responding to a letter Khan wrote on December 8 alleging political interference in the state’s universities and asking the CM to take over the role of Chancellor of universities. Addressing the media in Kannur on Sunday, where he was attending a CPI(M) district conference, Vijayan said, “The chancellor’s post is not one coveted by us. We want the Governor to continue as the Chancellor. We haven’t taken away his rights. I assure that the government would not take away the legitimate powers of the Governor as chancellor. I hope that the Governor would not stick to his stand (stepping down as chancellor). Misconceptions can be sorted out through discussions.”