CHENNAI: Banwarilal Purohit, a BJP veteran whose political career began with the Congress in Maharashtra, arrived here on Thursday to a warm welcome by the top brass of the Tamil Nadu Government and will be sworn-in as 29th Governor of the state on Friday.
Maharashtra Governor CH Vidyasagar Rao, who held additional charge of Tamil Nadu since September 2016, was given a warm farewell at the Chennai Airport on Thursday morning by Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami, his deputy O Panneerselvam, cabinet colleagues and senior officials.
Rao was widely appreciated by many for the deft manner in which he handled the post-Jayalalithaa crisis when the ruling AIADMK was hit by internal strife and the Opposition bayed for blood. The Telangana strongman, who had his roots in the RSS, had on Wednesday thanked people for their love and affection during his one-year tenure as Governor.
Purohit arrived at the Chennai Airport at around 1.30 PM even as heavy rains lashed the city, leading to a slight delay in the welcome ceremony. Braving the rains, Palaniswami, Panneerselvam, Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan and cabinet ministers welcomed Purohit with shawls and bouquets.
The Governor-elect was also accorded ceremonial guard of honour at the airport.
Purohit, the former Assam Governor, will be administered oath of office as Governor at the Raj Bhawan by Chief Justice of Madras High Court Justice Indira Banerjee at 9.30 am on Friday.
Top brass of the government and leaders from all political parties are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony.
Purohit will move to the sprawling Raj Bhawan in the heart of the city, at a time when the role of Governor is crucial given the political situation in the state.
Tamil Nadu did not have a full-time Governor ever since K Rosaiah demitted office on August 31, 2016.
He also moves in at a time the Madras High Court is hearing a slew of petitions demanding a floor test and challenging the disqualification of 18 AIADMK MLAs owing allegiance to rebel leader T T V Dhinakaran.
