Kerala VC Standoff Persists as Ministers’ Meeting With Governor Ends Without Deal

Overview

• Law Minister P. Rajeev and Higher Education Minister R. Bindu met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar in Thiruvananthapuram under the Supreme Court’s directive to seek consensus.
• The talks yielded no breakthrough, and the Governor questioned the Chief Minister’s absence and disapproved of public criticism on a sub judice issue.
• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has recommended C. Sathish Kumar for KTU and Saji Gopinath for the Digital University, while the Governor backs Ciza Thomas and Priya Chandran.
• Arlekar told the Supreme Court he rejected the CM’s list, citing missing credential documents and arguing his nominees are the only names common to both Dhulia-led shortlists.
• The court set a deadline for agreement, has listed the case for hearing on Thursday, and has warned it could directly appoint the vice-chancellors if consensus remains elusive.