Hyderabad: There are indications that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will initiate steps to appoint Governors to at least seven states that currently have temporary appointees, and will also reshuffle the Union Cabinet to fill key portfolios sometime after August 11, the last day of the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Some Governors have held additional charge of other states for more than a year. This includes Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, who was given additional charge of Telangana state in 2014. His second term as Governor ended on May 2 and he has been asked to continue till his successor steps in.
Going by the Bharatiya Janata Party’s nominations for President and Vice-President, where strong ideological commitment carried weight, the gubernatorial appointments will likely see BJP leaders take the hot seat in various Raj Bhavans.
Maharashtra Governor may go to TN
Maharashtra Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao has been overseeing Tamil Nadu for over a year, including the tumultuous period following the death of Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.
West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi is in charge of Bihar, Gujarat Governor Om Prakash is also Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland Governor P.B. Acharya is also in charge of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam Governor Bhanwarilal Purohit is in charge Governor for Meghalaya.
With the general elections less than two years away, and states like Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Bihar ruled by non-BJP governments, the appointment of Governors to these states gains significance.
A key source in the BJP Central Office said party president Amit Shah has prepared a list of probables and is expected to finalise it with Mr Modi.
It is the normal practice for the Union home minister either to consult with the state government on the appointment of the Governor or convey the decision to the Chief Minister of the state.
In the case of Mr Narasimhan, the speculation is that he will be given a special assignment involving strategic affairs in Delhi.
Mr Narasimhan, however, has gone on record stating that he will “peacefully retire and settle in Chennai”.
It is still not clear whether the Centre will appoint separate Governors for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana state or continue the arrangement of a common Governor in view of the special provision of Section 8 of the AP Reorganisation Act that gives special powers to the Governor to safeguard the interests of people residing in Hyderabad, which was declared the common capital for both Telugu states for a period of up to 10 years from June 2, 2014.
According to sources, Mr Vidyasagar Rao may be appointed as Tamil Nadu Governor in view of the tricky political situation prevailing there and given his handling of the situation in the post-Jayalalithaa period.
If that happens, former Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel may be moved to the Maharashtra Raj Bhavan.
Sources said Union minister Kalraj Mishra may be asked to put in his papers and would be sent as Governor.
