Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Higher Education Minister Roji M John on Thursday said that the UDF government will not permit any form of saffronisation of educational institutions and universities in the state.

John made the remark while speaking to a TV channel on the recent appointments, including that of a Vice Chancellor, in the Mahatma Gandhi University, by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.

The minister said that such interference in day-to-day functions of universities by the Governor, as Chancellor of Universities in the state, began from the time of the previous LDF administration.

"They (LDF) paved the way for it. Such interference was never before seen in Kerala's history," he said.

John also alleged that there was a "deal" to share the appointment of VCs between the Left administration and the Governor.

"Initially, there are protests against the Governor. Then the CM and the Governor have tea together, and the protests come to an end. Thereafter, each side made an appointment," he claimed.

The minister said that the current state government was not in favour of any form of saffronisation, and that has been the UDF's stand even when it was in the opposition.

"We will take all necessary steps to prevent saffronisation of educational institutions and universities," he said.

On Wednesday, Chief Minister V D Satheesan had said that his government should not be blamed for the controversy over university appointments made by the governor, arguing that the process had begun under the previous LDF administration.

He had claimed that the governor was acting on panels submitted before the change of government.

Responding to questions at a press conference here, on allegations of saffronisation in university appointments and the governor's intervention in higher education matters, Satheesan had said such controversies were not new and had existed under previous governments as well.