Kerala resolution seeks removal of Lakshadweep administrator

The resolution was moved in the Assembly according to rule 118 (subject matter of resolution) of the Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Kerala Legislative Assembly.

Administrator Praful Patel.

The Kerala Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution urging the Union government to remove Lakshadweep administrator Praful Khoda Patel and to take immediate action to protect the lives and livelihoods of the people of the Union Territory.

Patel has been facing protests in Lakshadweep as well as in Kerala over a slew of decisions and proposals, including a ban on beef in the Muslim-dominated archipelago, introduction of a Goonda Act even as the crime rate is very low, a proposal to disqualify panchayat poll aspirants with more than two children, lifting of restrictions on alcohol and establishment of a development authority with powers to acquire land.

Red | Lakshadweep Administrator row: UT unit to centre, BJP split

The resolution, presented by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, said the Centre has the responsibility to ensure the unique characteristics of Lakshadweep and its people are preserved. Administrator Patel, who is posing challenges to that characteristics, should be removed and all his orders should be nullified, it said.

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The resolution was moved in the Assembly according to rule 118 (subject matter of resolution) of the Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Kerala Legislative Assembly.

Backing the resolution, Opposition Leader V D Satheesan said the “decisions show the arrogance of the administrator, who thinks he can do anything with scant regard for democratic and constitutional principles”.

However, BJP state president K Surendran said, “Both LDF and UDF are using the sacred space of the Assembly for furthering their narrow political interests. This would contribute to developing anti-national sentiments among people.”

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