The Hindu : Front Page : Five Governors to be replaced

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Thursday, Jul 01, 2004

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Front Page

Five Governors to be replaced

By Vinay Kumar

NEW DELHI, JUNE 30. The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government has decided to replace five Governors.

The process of removal of ``political appointees'' in the Raj Bhavans and their replacement seems to have got a shot in the arm with the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and the Home Minister, Shivraj Patil, calling on the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, late tonight. Rashtrapati Bhavan sources described the 50-minute meeting as part of a regular interaction between the two leaders.

Knowledgeable official sources said that the appointment of new Governors came up for discussion between the two leaders, besides other issues of national importance. The presence of the Home Minister in the meeting was also of ``crucial'' significance as it is the Home Ministry that sets the process in motion for gubernatorial appointments.

Well-placed government sources said that the Governors in Goa, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat are likely to be replaced over the next few days as they come under the category of ``political appointees.'' They are Kidar Nath Sahni (Goa), Madan Lal Khurana (Rajasthan), Vishnu Kant Shastri (U.P), Rama Jois (Bihar) and Kailashpati Mishra (Gujarat), all with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh backgrounds.

Last week, Mr. Patil had called on the President. He had earlier indicated that the new Government would follow the convention in appointment of new Governors and it was for the ``political appointees'' themselves to vacate the Raj Bhavans. Apparently, the Congress is also bringing ``pressure'' on Mr. Patil to remove the ``political appointees.'' Sources said that even some suggestions had also been made to Mr. Patil on the possible gubernatorial aspirants. Till now, the Government has not forwarded to the Rashtrapati Bhavan the list of Governors it wants removed.

A BJP delegation, led by the Leader of Opposition, L.K. Advani, which had called on the President and the Prime Minister, protested against the Government's ``pressure'' on the Governors appointed by the Vajpayee Government to resign.

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