Following a visit to the United States and the United Arab Emirates, Pinarayi Vijayan returned early on Sunday to the state capital to meet Governor Arif Mohammed Khan.
In that hour-long meeting, he informed the Governor of the changes the state government is bringing to the Lokayukta and explained why they are making these changes.
Vijayan was informed by the Governor that state opposition leaders had sent him a petition opposing the ordinance.
Nonetheless, sources report that the Chief Minister told the Governor that Section 14 of the Lokayukta Act is in conflict with Articles 163 and 164 of the Constitution and that it infringes on the rights of the cabinet.
It is now up to the Governor to take a call on the Lokayukta ordinance after meeting with the Chief Minister; if he declines to sign the ordinance, then it will have to go before the Assembly for discussion.
In an ordinance, the Kerala Government amended the Kerala Lokayukta Act so it can reject the ombudsman's report if it believes it contains corruption.
In a meeting, the Kerala cabinet recommended to the Governor that an ordinance be issued to amend the Kerala Lokayukta Act, 1999, so that the government would have the power to "either accept or reject the Lokayukta's verdict after the opportunity for hearing".
After the Lokayukta found that he had abused his office during the previous LDF government led by Vijayan, Higher Education Minister, K.T. Jaleel resigned.
In a letter to the Governor, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheeshan said the proposal would diminish the power of the Lokayukta to one of advisory only.