by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
SPECIAL
SPECIAL
Govt wants new faces in J&K, Arunchal
Harish Gupta
New Delhi, Sept 9
The fate of two governors of border states – Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir – is uncertain now. But reasons for the delay in changing both the governors are different.
The delay in changing Arunachal Pradesh governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa is due to technical reasons as President Pranab Mukherjee has raised some issues with Union home minister Rajnath Singh. The home minister had called on the President on Wednesday to convey to him the intention of the government in removing Rajkhowa who had violated the spirit of the Constitution in handling the affairs of the state when it faced political crisis.
The governor had come in for a rap from the Supreme Court as well. But the President is reported to have raised some important points. Firstly, the Union Cabinet had approved in toto whatever the governor had recommended then. Secondly, there has to be some reasons in writing from the government rather than simply asking the President to withdraw the governor at his pleasure.
The home minister is reported to have told the President that on one occasion Rajkhowa had misled even the PM when he had put some query. It's a lack of trust between the governor and government and his removal is the only way forward. It now transpires that an amicable way is being found to get rid of Rajkhowa.
Meanwhile, in changing or removing N N Vohra in Jammu & Kashmir, the situation is rather sensitive and ticklish as well. Vohra is a seasoned bureaucrat and there is nothing against him. But he is 80 years old and doesn't have new ideas given the alarming situation in the Valley. Modi government retained him for more than two years after coming to power.
But it wants a new person in place of Vohra who was re-appointed as governor for second term in 2013. In a way, its more than eight years that he has been governor of the state. The Modi government is reported to have zeroed on Anil Baijal, former home secretary in the Vajpayee government, who is a seasoned bureaucrat as the new man in the Valley. The problem being faced is should Vohra be transferred or removed altogether.
It transpires that Rajnath Singh may have been asked by the Prime Minister to discuss with the President who is an experienced administrator and politician. It is pertinent to mention that Vohra was the first person without Army or intelligence background to occupy the gubernatorial post in the state after a gap of 18 years. Jagmohan was there for a brief period who demitted office in 1990 and was replaced by army & intelligence officers like former RAW chief Girish Chandra Saxena, Gen. K V Krishna Rao (retd) and Gen. S K Sinha.
