KOTTAYAM: Dr S. Sujatha, associate professor of English at the NSS College, Changanassery, has been retained in the MG University syndicate for a second time. This is considered to be an LDF move to appease the NSS leadership as she is the daughter of NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair. Among the 15 newly nominated members, Dr Sujatha is the lone member who has been retained.
According to the MG University Act section 22 and sub-section 3, the tenure of the syndicate member is determined at the pleasure of the government. The CPM- affiliated MG University employees’ association general secretary and a newly- nominated member of the syndicate, K. Sharafudhin, said that it was up to the government to retain a member.
“However, I am not aware why she was retained. It is up to the government to explain it,” Mr Sharafudhin told DC. Among the new members there are two principals of management colleges, five associate professors of colleges and three assistant professors. According to LDF sources, Dr Sujatha was against the style of functioning of the previous syndicate.
“To retain a previous member is the prerogative of the government. It is not supposed to give an explanation for the decision”, said sources. However, P.K. Feroz, a member of the previous syndicate, says Dr Sujatha was retained just because she is the daughter of the NSS general secretary. The decision is against the LDF claim that it will not toe the lines of caste and communal forces”, he said.
