THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Supreme Court verdict in the professional colleges ordinance case is a setback for not only the government but also the Opposition. When the professional colleges Bill was placed before the Assembly, other than Congress MLA V T Balram, nobody opposed the same.The government decided to place the Bill before the House on Wednesday when the apex court hearing on the ordinance was scheduled for Thursday.
In a clear move to bypass any adverse verdict from the SC, the government introduced the Bill with some minor charges in the ordinance. The attempt was to clear the Bill so as to regularise the medical college admissions. Soon after the House passed the Bill, senior Congress leader and former PCC chief V M Sudheeran openly came out against the move. Accusing the UDF of committing a major lapse in the issue, Sudheeran was of the view that the SC verdict is a setback for the Opposition too.Meanwhile, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala made a desperate attempt to justify the UDF support for the Bill.
Even though Oommen Chandy tried to justify the Bill, the decision to support it could well be a headache for the Chennithala faction in the coming days. Many young leaders have already come out against the leadership for supporting the Bill. Youth Congress state president Dean Kuriakose has already rejected the official stance, while Benny Behanan has also made his stance clear.
A section of leaders feel that supporting the Bill instead of making use of it as an issue against the government was a major lapse.The UDF decided to support the Bill only due to humanitarian considerations keeping in mind the students’ future, Chennithala said in a statement.
At a time when the Congress and the UDF have been drawing flak from various quarters, including from within the party for supporting the Bill, Chennithala clarified that it was a united decision by the UDF to support the Bill.
“In no way will the UDF support the fleecing by self-financing colleges. We decided to support the Bill due to humanitarian considerations in view of the students who were on the verge of suicide,” Chennithala said.
‘Govt not to push the matter further’
T’Puram: In the wake of the SC’s criticisms, the government will not push further on the Kannur, Karuna Medical Colleges issue. Though technically the government is pressing ahead with procedures for the professional colleges Bill passed by the Assembly on Wednesday, a high-level decision has been taken not to take the matter further. Despite the SC criticisms, the technical procedures for the Bill has been continuing. In view of the verdict, now all eyes are on the Governor. The Bill has been cleared and sent for the Governor’s ascent. “Post the SC verdict, the government is not at all keen on the Bill. Though the intention was clear, the government drew flak unnecessarily due to the Bill. The CM has issued clear instructions and a high-level decision was taken on Thursday not to push the matter further. The CM has made it abundantly clear the government is not for a run-in with the court,” CMO sources said. The Bill has been signed and sent from the Speaker’s office to the government on Thursday itself. “The Speaker is of the view the Assembly passed the Bill as per the norms and procedures,” said the Speaker’s office. The Bill is being sent to the Governor for his approval. In view of the SC order, the Governor may put the Bill on hold or even return the same seeking clarifications, said government sources.
Sudheeran slams UDF for supporting ordinance
T’Puram: Former KPCC chief V M Sudheeran flayed the UDF for extending support to unanimously pass the professional colleges ordinance, regularising admissions to Kannur and Karuna Medical Colleges. Terming the Opposition action self-cheating, Sudheeran warned that unity in such things could prove to be dangerous.
KSU state president demands withdrawal of Bill
Kozhikode: Coming down heavily on the state government for regularising the admission of 180 medical students to Karuna and Kannur Medical Colleges, Kerala Students Union (KSU) has demanded withdrawal of the piece of legislation that facilitated the regularisation. KSU state president K M Abhijith said that the LDF government was acting in favour of the management.
Massive corruption in KMC approval: Kummanam
T’Puram: The SC verdict on the professional colleges ordinance is a blow to the misuse of power by the LDF government, BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan said. He also announced his decision to approach the Indian Medical Council seeking a probe into the approval given to the Kannur Medical College. He alleged massive corruption in the nod given for establishing the college.
CM, Oppn leader should resign: Muraleedharan
T’Puram: Calling Thursday’s Supreme Court verdict staying the professional colleges ordinance a severe setback to the ruling and Opposition parties in the state, Rajya Sabha MP V Muraleedharan demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala. The government had bowed to commercial interests in the education sector and gone ahead with its case despite knowing that it would face a setback in the Supreme Court, Muraleedharan said. He also alleged large-scale corruption in the government’s haste to enact the law with the UDF’s support. “Both the LDF and UDF are equal partners in this graft,” he said.