Congress faults Kerala governor for convening meet on universities

Thiruvananthapuram: The ruling Congress on Wednesday launched a direct attack on Governor P Sathasivam accusing him of interfering in the day to day functioning of the government.
The attack came in the wake of Governor convening a meeting of Education Minister, vice chancellors and senior officials in Kochi on October 27 to review the functioning of universities.  Chief Minister Mr Oommen Chandy who was also apparently resentful, gave a curt reply to questions on the issue at Cabinet briefing earlier in the day. “No comments. I can only say that,’’ he told mediapersons.
 At a press conference, KPCC vice president M.M. Hassan flayed the Governor; “The Chancellors Council constituted by Governor to monitor the functioning of universities had no legal sanctity. The powers of Governor have been clearly laid down in Constitution and he should not have crossed the limit.’’
 The Congress leader alleged that Governor’s action amounted to interfering in the day to day functioning of the government. “If things go this way the Governor would even convene Cabinet meeting,’’ he quipped.
The KPCC vice president said that there was no precedent of this nature in the state. 'The Governor does not even enjoy the powers to convene state Assembly session without Government’s recommendation. His decision to convene the meeting of minister, vice chancellor and officials was quite strange and unusual', he said .