The row over the syndicate nominee in the search committee for the new Vice Chancellor of Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) is snowballing into a political controversy.
The warring factions supporting the candidature of syndicate members Hibi Eden, MLA (Congress), and K.M. Shaji, MLA (Muslim League), have stepped up their efforts to get their nominee elected as member of the three-member search committee.
The other members include an expert nominated by the University Grants Commission, and either the Chief Secretary or Principal Secretary, Higher Education. The clash between Mr. Eden and syndicate member Sunny.P. Jose at the Ernakulam government guest house over the syndicate nominee issue added fire to the growing differences among the syndicate members over the selection of the syndicate nominee.
Mr. Jose had to give way to Mr. Eden as syndicate nominee in the previous search committee, which was disbanded after the code of conduct for Lok Sabha elections came into effect. Chances of a voting involving the syndicate members to select the syndicate nominee intensified on Tuesday, as both Mr. Hibi and Mr. Shaji filed their nominations. Varsity Registrar said both the nominations had been accepted.
