Thiruvananthapuram: The Governor has received legal advice that the Chief Minister’s recommendation for swearing-in of Saji Cherian cannot be rejected. The legal advice also states that the Governor may seek further clarification if necessary. The government is waiting for the decision of Governor Arif Muhammad Khan, who will arrive in the capital tomorrow evening.
The government is further activating the way for Saji Cherian to return to the cabinet. The legal advice issued by the Standing Council to the Governor states that the Governor cannot reject the Chief Minister’s recommendation regarding the oath and if necessary, the Governor can seek further clarification. Saji Cherian’s controversial speech criticizing the Constitution was on July 3. Saji Cherian resigned as minister on July 6 following criticism and protests.
When the police who investigated the case got a clean chit, the stage was set for the return. The police have informed the Thiruvalla court of legal advice that they only criticized the constitution and did not intend to insult it and therefore the case once morest Saji Cherian will not stand. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is taking the initiative for Saji Cherian’s return following the legal advice that there are no other problems in the court decision on the application given by the police to close the case.
The government has moved to speed up the swearing-in ceremony when the governor returns tomorrow evening. The information received is that the swearing-in ceremony will be held on Wednesday, January 4. It is likely that Saji Cheri will be given the Culture, Fisheries and Youth Welfare Departments that he was handling earlier. The government has also moved to return staff who have been redeployed to other ministerial offices.