Mizoram Governor Vakkom Purushothaman resigns

Mr. Purushothaman, who announced his decision here this morning, said his secretary had sent across the resignation letter to the Rashtrapati Bhavan from Aizwal a little earlier. Mr. Purushothaman’s resignation comes in the wake of his transfer to Nagaland.

Coming down heavily on the NDA government’s decision to seek resignation of Governors appointed by the UPA, Mr. Purushothaman said Governors could not be shunted around like government servants. “This is a Constitutional post and must be accorded due respect,” he said.

Mr. Purushothaman said though persons who assume office as Governors may have been full-time politicians, nobody would behave in a partisan manner after assuming office. This is an august office and nobody has so far shown partisanship or favouritism while holding the post, he said.

He said nobody had asked him to resign, but there was no consultation with him before he was transferred which, he said, was the normal practice. In the case of certain others, the Union Home Secretary had sought their resignation. “What right does a secretary have to make such a demand on a Governor,” he asked.

Mr. Purushothaman, who had served as Minister in different Cabinets in the State and Speaker of the Kerala Assembly, said he would continue be active in politics. He, however, had no intention to hold any political office, the senior Congress leader added.