Chennai: Banwarilal Purohit, a BJP veteran whose political career began with the Congress in the Vidarbha region in Maharashtra, was on Saturday named as the Tamil Nadu Governor replacing CH Vidyasagar Rao who has been holding additional charge of the state since September last year. Purohit is likely to take charge as Governor on October 6. Sources said Purohit is likely to reach Chennai on Friday next week and take charge the same day.
Currently serving as the Governor of Assam, Purohit will move to the sprawling Raj Bhavan in the heart of the city, at a time when the role of the Governor has become crucial given the political situation in the state. TN has not had a full-time Governor since K.Rosaiah demitted office on August 31, 2016.
Purohit appointment surprises many
The appointment of Purohit, a three-time Lok Sabha MP from Vidarbha, assumes significance as it comes just a few days before the Madras high court is to hear a case against disqualification of 18 MLAs owing allegiance to rebel AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran.
A terse press communiqué from the Rashtrapati Bhawan said Purohit has been appointed as the Governor of Tamil Nadu. It also said the appointment will come into effect the day Purohit takes oath as Governor.
Purohit's appointment came as a surprise to many people both inside and outside Tamil Nadu as Rao was considered to be the frontrunner for the crucial job. Names of former Union minister Kalraj Mishra and former Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel also did rounds in the past few months.
