What does the cable that runs from the AOD shifter to the steering column do?

[mull9433]

I'm doing a T5 swap and have removed the AOD shifter. There's a cable that connects the shifter to the steering column. It is located on the front of the shifter, runs through/under the console and attaches to the steering column. What is this cable and what does it do? Can I remove it? Thanks for your help.

 

[MadDAWG_zr2]

nothing major. IIRC it keeps the shifter from being taken out of gear without the key in the run position.