Is Vijay Kumar Malhotra likely to step into H.R. Bhardwaj’s shoes?

Bengaluru: Governor H.R. Bhardwaj, whose term gets over this month end, may reportedly demit office ahead of June 30. According to sources Mr Bhardwaj, who was appointed as the 16th Governor of Karnataka on June 25, 2009 may reportedly like to demit office on the same day - June 25. He is likely to be succeeded by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra, said an official source.

Mr Malhotra is a sports administrator and is the Senior Vice President in the Indian Olympics Association. Mr Bhardwaj had succeeded Mr Rameshwar Thakur as the Governor of Karnataka at the time when BJP MP B.S. Yedyurappa was the chief minister of the State.

In 2011, based on the Lokayukta report he had sanctioned Mr. Yeddyurappa's prosecution in the infamous illegal mining case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and in May 2011, he had recommended President's rule in Karnataka after the ruling government had lost support in the Parliament.