Seven gubernatorial and administrative posts across India are poised for change, indicating a significant political reshuffle in the near future.
New Delhi: A potential shift in leadership is on the horizon as at least seven gubernatorial and administrative positions may soon be up for grabs across India. This development could pave the way for one of the most substantial reshuffles seen in recent years.
Five current officeholders have surpassed five years in their respective roles, while two additional positions are becoming available due to direct transitions or other necessities.
Admiral (Retd.) Devendra Kumar Joshi, who has served as the Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands since October 8, 2017, is the longest-serving incumbent in this group, with nearly eight years in Port Blair. His tenure has made him the senior-most official in terms of continuous service in a single post.
Similarly, Acharya Devvrat, who has been the Governor of Gujarat since July 22, 2019, has also crossed the six-year mark. When considering his previous role as Governor of Himachal Pradesh from 2015 to 2019, he has now accumulated over a decade of uninterrupted service in Raj Bhavans, marking the longest continuous gubernatorial tenure among current officeholders.
Anandiben Patel, a former Chief Minister of Gujarat, has held the position of Governor of Uttar Pradesh since July 29, 2019, and has also surpassed six years in Lucknow. During her tenure, she has additionally managed responsibilities for Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Prafull Khoda Patel, who has been the Administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu since January 26, 2020, has reached the five-and-a-half-year milestone, which is considered unusual for an appointment in a Union Territory.
Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, took office on August 7, 2020, and recently crossed the five-year threshold. Reports suggest that his replacement may be announced imminently.
In addition to these five incumbents, two Raj Bhavans are already experiencing transitions. The Governor of Maharashtra, C.P. Radhakrishnan, is expected to resign following his election as the NDA’s Vice-Presidential nominee, creating a vacancy in one of the country’s most politically significant states.
Nagaland is also facing a leadership change due to the recent passing of Governor La. Ganesan. Currently, Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla is temporarily overseeing the position until a permanent replacement is appointed.
With five incumbents having surpassed the five-year mark and two additional vacancies emerging, at least seven Raj Bhavan posts are now technically in play. This reshuffle comes at a crucial time as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prepares for the upcoming Bihar elections and future polls in West Bengal. It is anticipated that these vacancies will be utilized to accommodate senior leaders and veterans, alongside selections from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
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