Kochi, Dec 15 (IANS): The Kerala High Court on Wednesday dismissed a plea challenging the reappointment of Kannur Vice Chancellor Gopinath Ravindran.

This came as a relief for Vijayan, who has been under severe attack from several quarters, including Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan. Khan, who after signing the reappointment had later backtracked, and said that his 'hands were tied and now he regrets the decision'. He even went public stating that he (Khan) no longer desires to continue as the Chancellor.

The petition was filed by Kannur University senate member K. Premachandran and another person Shino Jose. After the verdict, the petitioners said they will approach the division bench of the High Court very soon.

This relief comes at a time when the Congress and the BJP have demanded the resignation of State Higher Education Minister R. Bindhu whose two letters to Khan came out which showed that she was asking for the reappointment of Ravindran as Chancellor.

Ravindran, reacting to the news, said that reappointments happen and "this was nothing new...it happened in several universities and what happened now was nothing but politics."

"There is nothing wrong in the Pro-Chancellor (Minister Bindhu) recommending to the Chancellor. The Chancellor is a person with wide ranging experience in legal matter and politics," said Ravindran.

The Save University Campaigners, however, pointed out that they will fight this 'illegal appointment' till the apex court and they will not back out.