Cong attacks move to appoint Sathasivam as Kerala Governor

New Delhi, Sep 2: Slamming the move to appoint Justice P Sathasivam as Kerala Governor, Congress today wondered whether there was anything in the former CJI's "persona, functioning or decisions" that "pleased" Prime Minister Narendra Modi or BJP President Amit Shah.

Noting that Sathasivam was the first former Chief Justice set to be appointed as Governor, Congress wanted to know from the government whether it was moving to a system where "we expect judiciary to be committed to government for political patronage post retirement". The question comes in the view of the fact that there were several former Chief Justices of India in the country, including two who retired in the last one and half years but the government selected the latest to retire, Party spokesperson Anand Sharma He said that the move to appoint Sathasivam as Governor of Kerala raises many questions and makes the post of CJI smaller.

"Two people have gone beyond the post of CJI but that was to be Vice Presidents. And if you see the warrant of precedence, then Vice President comes after President and then the Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India. But Governor is below. Why was he made? "This raises a question if he has done some work, for which they are pleased. Prime Minister Modi is pleased, Amit Shah is pleased and that is why he is being honoured," Sharma told reporters during a briefing at the AICC headquarters here. He was replying to a question about the government's move to appoint the former CJI as a governor.

"Because an exception is being made, and the question is about why, is there anything in his persona, functioning or his decisions, which has really attracted very warmly, very positively, the acceptance of Prime Minister and BJP President. It is but natural that these questions would be asked". Stressing that he is not casting any aspersions, Sharma said, "I am sure there is something which has gladdened the hearts of Prime Minister and BJP leadership".

PTI