Kerala Assembly passes resolution to remove Lakshadweep administrator

The Kerala Legislative Assembly on Monday passed a resolution to remove the administrator of Lakshadweep, Praful Patel. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan presented the resolution in the State Assembly declaring solidarity to the people of Lakshadweep.

"The Centre should intervene in the Lakshadweep issue. It's Center responsibility to ensure that people's interest should be protected," he said. 

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The chief minister further said that the Administrator, who is challenging the interests of the people, must be removed and the Centre must take immediate action to protect the lives and livelihood of people of Lakshadweep. 

Lakshadweep administrator Praful Patel is under attack for a slew of reforms he has proposed in the Union territory. Patel has proposed ban on beef products, disqualification of panchayat candidates with more than two children, an anti-goonda Act and establishment of a development authority with powers to acquire land for development purposes among others. Of these, two issues have triggered massive pushback from the Opposition parties.

The opposition parties have termed these proposals as "anti-people" and have demanded the Centre to recall him from the UT.

Recently, some leaders from Congress, NCP and left urged the Centre to recall Patel. These leaders alleged that Patel unilaterally lifted the restrictions on alcohol in the Muslim-majority islands and banned beef products, citing Animal Preservation.

However, the BJP defended Patel and claimed that the opposition from other parties was a result of his efforts to end "corrupt practices" involving local politicians.

Patel was given charge of Lakshadweep following the demise of Dineshwar Sharma in December 2020.