Kerala Minister Shibu Baby John slams Governor's PSC move, questions ED timing on Vijayan
Synopsis
A minister from within Kerala's own ruling UDF coalition has publicly challenged both the Governor's bid to dismiss PSC members and the ED's fresh push in the Pinarayi Vijayan case — calling both moves politically motivated and constitutionally questionable. The dissent from inside the government camp makes this more than routine opposition noise.
Key Takeaways
RSP leader and Kerala Forest Minister Shibu Baby John on 27 October 2026 questioned the Governor's recommendation to dismiss Public Service Commission (PSC) members.
John said it was unclear under which constitutional provision the Governor had acted, calling the move an attempt to undermine a constitutional institution.
He alleged that the ED 's renewed moves in the Pinarayi Vijayan case were politically motivated, noting the agency had remained inactive for a prolonged period.
John stated the UDF government would not take decisions based on what the ED directs, saying 'the people did not elect the UDF government to act according to what the ED says.' The remarks are significant as they come from within the ruling UDF coalition, not from the opposition LDF .
Rashtriya Socialist Party (RSP) leader and Kerala Forest Minister Shibu Baby John on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, sharply questioned the Governor's recommendation to dismiss members of the Public Service Commission (PSC) and alleged clear political motives behind the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) fresh moves in the case involving former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The remarks, made in Thiruvananthapuram, carry added weight as they come from within the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) coalition itself.
Governor's PSC Move Under Fire
John questioned the constitutional basis on which the Governor had recommended the mass dismissal of PSC members, saying it remained unclear under which provision such a step could be justified. The PSC is a constitutionally protected body responsible for recruitment to government services, and John said any attempt to weaken it through what he called arbitrary action was unacceptable.
'The RSP does not agree with the Governor's position,' he stated, adding that attempts to undermine constitutional institutions through such moves could not be tolerated. Notably, the PSC's functional independence has been a recurring flashpoint between the Kerala government and the Raj Bhavan in recent years.
ED's Timing Called 'Suspicious'
Turning to the ED investigation involving Pinarayi Vijayan, John alleged that the agency's probe had effectively become 'a mere farce.' He questioned why central agencies had remained largely inactive during Vijayan's tenure as Chief Minister and had not pursued the matter with urgency during that period.
The ED's decision to escalate its actions now, he argued, was suspicious and pointed to a political agenda. 'The investigation had not been expedited for a long time,' he said, adding that the agency's latest moves raised serious questions about its intentions.
UDF Government Won't Follow ED's Line, Says Minister
John made clear that the UDF government would not simply align itself with the positions taken by central investigative agencies. 'The people did not elect the UDF government to act according to what the ED says,' he said.
He stressed that the government's decisions had to be grounded in constitutional principles and the aspirations of the people of Kerala, rather than shaped by what he described as the political games of investigative agencies.
Significance Within the Ruling Coalition
The remarks are politically significant precisely because they originate from within the UDF camp rather than from the opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF). They signal that at least a section of the ruling alliance is prepared to publicly push back against both the Governor and the ED, framing both issues as threats to constitutional propriety rather than legitimate exercises of authority.
The two controversies — the Governor's PSC directive and the ED's renewed focus on Vijayan — have together brought into sharp relief the evolving tensions between constitutional authorities, central investigative agencies, and the elected government in Kerala. How the UDF leadership responds formally to both issues in the coming days will be closely watched.
Point of View
Not a stray remark. By questioning both the Governor's constitutional authority and the ED's motives in a single breath, he is effectively drawing a line between the UDF government's identity and the Centre's institutional reach into Kerala. The deeper tension is this: the UDF came to power partly by distancing itself from the LDF's record, yet on the question of central agency overreach it is now sounding strikingly similar to its predecessor. That convergence tells you something about how Kerala's political class — across party lines — reads the Governor-ED combine. What remains to be seen is whether the UDF leadership formally backs John's position or allows it to remain an individual statement, which would itself be a form of strategic ambiguity.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kerala Minister Shibu Baby John question the Governor's PSC move?
John questioned the constitutional basis of the Governor's recommendation to dismiss Public Service Commission members, arguing it was unclear under which provision such action could be taken. He said the PSC is a constitutionally protected institution and any attempt to weaken it through arbitrary action was unacceptable.
What did John allege about the ED investigation involving Pinarayi Vijayan?
He alleged that the ED's renewed activity in the case against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was politically motivated, noting that the agency had not pursued the investigation with urgency during Vijayan's tenure. He described the probe as having become 'a mere farce.'
Why are John's remarks politically significant?
They are significant because John is a member of the ruling UDF coalition in Kerala, not the opposition LDF. Criticism from within the government camp signals that at least part of the ruling alliance is prepared to push back publicly against both the Governor and central investigative agencies.
What did John say about the UDF government's stance on the ED?
John made clear that the UDF government would not simply follow the direction set by the ED. He said, 'The people did not elect the UDF government to act according to what the ED says,' emphasising that decisions must be grounded in constitutional principles and public sentiment.
What is the Public Service Commission (PSC) and why does its independence matter?
The PSC is a constitutional body in Kerala responsible for recruitment to government services. Its independence is protected under the Constitution, which is why a gubernatorial recommendation to dismiss its members en masse has drawn legal and political scrutiny over the scope of the Governor's powers.
