Sathasivam appointed Kerala governor

Amidst the protests and controversy, the government today appointed former Chief Justice of India, Palaniswamy Sathasivam as the new governor of Kerala. The 65-year-old will replace Sheila Dikshit who resigned on August 26.

Congress attacked Modi government for appointing a former CJI in the governor’s position. Congress even alleged that there was conflict of interest between Modi government and the former Chief Justice.

“Why was he made? This raises a question if he has done some work, for which they are pleased. Prime Minister Modi is pleased, Amit Shah is pleased and that is why he is being honoured,” Congress spokesman Anand Sharma told in a press conference.

“Is there anything in his persona, functioning or his decisions, which has really attracted very warmly, very positively, the acceptance of prime minister and BJP president. It is but natural that these questions would be asked,” he said.

“(Former) CJI of India should not be open to government patronage. This is sending wrong messages and raising doubt,” Sharma added.

However, it seems Congress is divided in this issue. Congress leader and former union minister Manish Tewari said that there is “no constitutional or legal bar” on Sathasivam to accept the position of Kerala governor.

Embarrassed congress tried to keep distance from Tiwari’s remarks by saying that it was his personal opinion and not of party’s official stand on the issue.

The Congress spokesman Shobha Oza told reporters, ‘We have made it crystal clear that whatever party spokesperson Anand Sharma has said on the issue is the official party line and any other person speaking on the issue is their personal view.’

Sathasivam who retired in April this year, is the first CJI to be appointed as governor. Ironically the post is much lower than the stature of Chief Justice of India.

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