New Governor earlier served in the Modi government in Gujarat as finance minister
H.R. Bhardwaj's tenure as Karnataka Governor recently got over. (Photo: DC/File)
Bengaluru: Speaker of the Gujarat legislative assembly and an old trusted associate of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala, has been appointed the new Governor of Karnataka. Mr Vala, 76, succeeds Mr H.R. Bhardwaj, who retired last month.
Having served in the Modi government in Gujarat as finance minister before he was elected Speaker of the Gujarat Vidhan Sabha in January last year, he holds the record of presenting 14 state budgets , the highest number ever. Born on January 23, 1938, Mr Vala was mayor of Rajkot city before entering state politics. A six-time MLA, he has two sons, two daughters and five grandchildren.
While it remains to be seen what he brings to the Raj Bhavan, Mr Bhardwaj leaves behind a controversial legacy with the state legislative council once even debating the alleged payment of crores to “someone” in Raj Bhavan for a vice-chancellor’s post. On several occasions the former Governor himself came under attack for allegedy being partisan to the Congress. He had even recommended the removal of the Yeddyurappa government and president’s rule during his tenure.
After Mr Bhardwaj’s tenure as governor ended soon after the BJP led NDA government came to power at the Centre post the Lok Sabha elecitons, Mr K. rosaiah, Governor of Tamil nadu was assigned temporary charge of Karnataka.
With a Congress government in the state led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, it remains to be seen if relations between a hardcore BJP veteran like Mr Vala and the state government will be cordial.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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