Kerala wants Lakshadweep head recalled Special Correspondent THIRUVANANTHAPURAM The Kerala Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution de- manding the recall of Lakshadweep Administra- tor Praful Khoda Patel and the withdrawal of the con- troversial orders issued by him. The House also ex- pressed solidarity with the people of Lakshadweep who have been protesting against the decisions of Mr. Patel and seeking urgent steps to safeguard their culture and livelihood. The resolution is the first to be moved in the As- sembly after the Left De- mocratic Front under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan returned to power after the Assembly elections and the first of the 15th Assembly. CONTINUED ON A PAGE 8 MP MEETS AMIT SHAH A PAGE 9 Recall Lakshadweep head: Kerala Assembly The Chief Minister, who island another laboratory moved the resolution under and people of the country Rule 118 in the House, said will not allow that to hap- the Administrator is taking pen,” the CM said. many measures to alienate Stating that steps are be- the peace-loving people of ing taken to abolish all exist- the island. “In the name of ing democratic institutions development, even their li- and impose bureaucratic velihood is threatened. domination, Mr. Vijayan Even coconut trees are said the powers of the Dis- painted with saffron colour trict Panchayat and the Vil- in the name of beautifica- lage Island Panchayat have tion. This can’t be allowed at been transferred to the Ad- any cost,” he said. ministrator. The depart- “The attempt is to impose ments of Fisheries, Health, and implement the saffron Education, Animal Husban- agenda and corporate inter- dry and Agriculture are be- ests in Lakshadweep. The ing removed from the pur- Sangh Parivar is making the view of the Panchayat..