Thiruvananthapuram: The Governor has received legal advice that the Prime Minister’s recommendation for the oath of office of Saji Cherian cannot be rejected. The legal opinion also states that the Governor may seek further clarification if needed. The government awaits the decision of Governor Arif Muhammad Khan, who will arrive in the capital tomorrow evening.
The government is also paving the way for Saji Cherian’s return to the cabinet. The Legal Opinion issued by the Permanent Council to the Governor states that the Governor may not reject the Prime Minister’s recommendation regarding the oath of office and, if necessary, the Governor may seek further clarification. Saji Cherian’s controversial speech criticizing the Constitution was on July 3rd. Saji Cherian resigned as minister on July 6 following criticism and protests.
When the police investigating the case got a clean statement, the stage was set for the return. The police informed the Thiruvalla Legal Counsel Court that they only criticized the constitution and did not intend to insult it and therefore the case against Saji Cherian will not stand. Prime Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is taking the lead in Saji Cherian’s return following legal advice that there are no other problems in the court’s decision on the police’s request to close the case.
The government has moved to speed up the swearing-in ceremony when the governor returns tomorrow night. The information received is that the swearing-in ceremony will be held on Wednesday, January 4th. Saji Cheri is likely to be given the culture, fisheries and youth welfare departments that she previously ran. The government has also moved to return staff who have been redeployed to other ministerial offices.
