Keralam, 25 October (H.S.)Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan has criticised former Governor Rajendra Arlekar’s recommendation: to remove the Kerala Public Service Commission chairman, describing the move as illegal, unconstitutional and a serious abuse of authority.

In a Facebook post, Vijayan alleged that Arlekar had submitted the recommendation before leaving office, continuing what he described as a series of unlawful interventions in the state’s affairs during his tenure.

Vijayan demanded that the UDF government clarify its position on the recommendation and explain whether it supported the former Governor’s action against the constitutional recruitment body.

Referring to constitutional provisions, he said appointments to public service commissions were governed by Article 316. He also pointed out that no proceedings against members of the Kerala PSC had taken place before the Supreme Court.

Invoking Article 163, Vijayan argued that the Governor was required to act in accordance with the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers. He maintained that the recommendation violated constitutional safeguards and exceeded the authority of the gubernatorial office.

The opposition leader said Kerala had no tradition of targeting the PSC out of political vendetta and cautioned the government against using the recommendation to pursue partisan objectives.

“Does the UDF government support unconstitutional positions adopted by Governors?” he asked, demanding an unequivocal response from the administration.

He also questioned whether the government intended to use the former Governor’s recommendation as a pretext to dissolve the existing commission because of political bias or preconceived notions.

Alternatively, Vijayan asked, was the government prepared to condemn the action and reject the position taken by Arlekar?

Defending the commission’s functioning, he described the Kerala PSC as an institution that had handled and completed recruitment to government posts commendably.

His remarks placed the government’s response to the recommendation at the centre of his criticism, alongside questions about gubernatorial authority.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman