Politics

Govt Says Former Governor Ignored Consultation Rules in PSC Chairman Removal

By Vishnu Varma

Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan said on Wednesday that former Kerala governor Rajendra Arlekar did not consult the state government before recommending the removal of Public Service Commission (PSC) chairman M. R. Baiju to President Droupadi Murmu after irregularities were found in recruitment examinations. Speaking at a press briefing in Thiruvananthapuram following a cabinet meeting, Satheesan said the governor’s recommendation violated due procedure, noting that the Constitution requires the governor to consult the state government on such matters. The recommendation came ten days before Arlekar’s transfer from Kerala to Tamil Nadu. It was the first time in the state’s history that a governor had recommended the sacking of the PSC chairman. The Crime Branch of the Kerala police is investigating the irregularities in the PSC exams and has arrested a retired official who oversaw the exam in 2023. Baiju was also questioned by police for several hours last week. Satheesan said the governor’s recommendation could not conceal the “shocking” discrepancies in the conduct of the exams and that the opposition Left Democratic Front was trying to shield the PSC chairman and governing body members by highlighting the governor’s actions. He added that details emerging from the probe were shocking but could not be discussed while the investigation was ongoing.