Not apt for former CJI to become governor: Congress

The Congress in Kerala Sunday expressed doubt over the aptness of a former chief justice of India taking over as the governor of a state.

The state's ruling party's response came following reports that former CJI P. Sathasivam would replace Sheila Dikshit who last week announced that she is quitting. There has been no official announcement of the new governor's name yet.

"It's the chief justice of the country that swears in the president of our country. After that a person in that post going to serve under the president does not augur well," state Congress president V.M. Sudheeran told reporters here.

"I feel this aspect should be open to debate by all, including constitutional experts. I do not think it's apt," he said.

Sathasivam, 65, who hails from the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu, was the 40th chief justice of India, holding office from July 2013 to April 2014.