Thiruvananthapuram/UNI: Kerala Assembly on Tuesday passed two University Law (Amendment) Bills to replace the governor as the chancellor of universities in the state.

Terming the government move as an attempt to turn the universities into Marxist centres, Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) members staged a walkout from the assembly.

Opposition leader VD Satheesan said the CPI(M)-led Left Government refused to entertain several proposed amendments to the Bill piloted by Industries Minister P Rajeev on behalf of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The Opposition proposed appointing a retired Supreme Court judge or a retired Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court to the Chancellor post.

It also proposed creating a selection committee comprising the Chief Minister, the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court and the Opposition leader as its members.