Row erupts in Kerala over KPCC chief’s support for Governor’s senate nominees

PTI, Dec 20, 2023, 8:55 AM IST

A row has erupted in Kerala over the statement of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee chief K Sudhakaran, expressing support for the alleged nomination of Sangh Parivar supporters to university Senates by Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, acting in his capacity as the chancellor.

Talking to reporters in New Delhi on Tuesday, Sudhakaran said that Sangh Parivar is a party in democracy, and therefore, there is no reason to oppose the nomination of qualified individuals, even if they are affiliated with such outfits.

He also said that the Congress will examine whether the nominees of the chancellor are qualified and eligible for their posts. If they are found to be unqualified, the party would oppose such appointments.

The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala, criticised Sudhakaran’s statement, alleging collusion between Congress and BJP in the southern state.

Sudhakaran made the controversial remarks while responding to queries on allegations by the CPI(M) that the Governor nominated supporters from Congress and the Muslim League alongside Sangh Parivar backers.

Sudhakaran distanced the Congress from the Governor’s actions, stating, ”We are not responsible for the actions of the Chancellor.” Sudhakaran acknowledged the presence of Sangh Parivar supporters among the academics but said, ”We are not opposing that.” Defending the Governor’s alleged actions, Sudhakaran said that if the nominees are qualified, their affiliation with Sangh Parivar should not be a deterrent.

He justified Governor Khan’s decisions, saying that the nominations were made in line with his responsibilities as chancellor.

”Let them be nominated. If it consists only of Sangh Parivar activists, then we can oppose it. If there are good people among them (Sangh Parivar), how can we oppose their nomination? There are lots of good people in the Congress. When they are nominated to the senate, we are happy. We accept that,” Sudhakaran said, justifying Khan’s actions.

Responding to the CPI(M)’s allegations of a disproportionate representation of Sangh Parivar supporters, Congress supporters, and IUML supporters in the Calicut University Senate, Sudhakaran said that the primary focus should be on evaluating the qualifications and merits of individuals appointed to the Senate rather than getting involved in political considerations.

He emphasised that the criteria for selection should be based on the academic and professional capabilities of the appointees, rather than their political allegiances.

The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) accused Sudhakaran of facilitating RSS influence through the Governor’s nominations.

”Through this, the Congress in Kerala is giving up to the RSS. Sudhakaran is laying the carpet for RSS’s backdoor politics by saying that the Governor’s nominees will not be opposed just because they are from the Sangh Parivar”, the youth outfit of the ruling CPI(M) alleged.

It said Sudhakaran is going forward by ignoring even the declared political position of the Congress at the national level.

In response, Sudhakaran refuted the allegations, asserting that his statement focused on the merit-based appointment of Senate members and not on endorsing Sangh Parivar politics.

He clarified that Congress has consistently opposed attempts to implement Sangh Parivar ideologies in Kerala.

”We are the ones who demanded the withdrawal of the Governor in the Assembly. But Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his colleagues not only did not support it, but defeated that demand,” he alleged.