Palaniswamy

, on Wednesday appointed the governor of Kerala. He will succeed Sheila

who resigned last week.

The Congress spokesman appeared to be hinting at the relief Shah got from the top court in the fake encounter case.

65-year-old Sathasivam is the first Chief Justice of India to be appointed to the post which is lower in warrant of precedence to the CJI. He is the first non-political person appointed for a gubernatorial post by the new NDA government.

NEW DELHI: Former Chief Justice of India,SathasivamDikshitSathasivam's appointment has been hugely criticized by opposition parties with the Congress alleging possible quid pro quo between the Modi government and the former Chief Justice."Why was he made? This raises a question if he has done some work, for which they are pleased. Prime Minister Modi is pleased, Amit Shah is pleased and that is why he is being honoured," Congress spokesman Anand Sharma said."Is there anything in his persona, functioning or his decisions, which has really attracted very warmly, very positively, the acceptance of prime minister and BJP president. It is but natural that these questions would be asked," he added.Former Chief Justice of India Palaniswamy SathasivamA Rashtrapati Bhavan communique said that the President has accepted the resignation of Sheila Dikshit, who submitted her papers last week, as governor of Kerala and has appointed Sathasivam with effect from the date he assumes charge.Sathasivam retired as Chief Justice in April this year.