The Hindu : Front Page : Tamil Nadu Governor quits

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Oct 30, 2004

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Tamil Nadu Governor quits

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, OCT. 29. The Tamil Nadu Governor, P.S. Ramamohan Rao, put in his papers today, finally giving in to suggestions from the Union Home Ministry to resign. With this the decks have been cleared for the transfer of the Andhra Pradesh Governor, Surjit Singh Barnala, to the Raj Bhavan in Chennai.

After submitting his resignation, Mr. Rao issued a "press release" defending himself against criticism made in "certain political quarters" on three points, including one that said he had failed to take appropriate action on the "deteriorating law and order situation" in the State.

Informed sources here said tonight that Mr. Barnala's formal appointment order transferring him to Tamil Nadu would be issued early next week.

Pressure from allies

The United Progressive Alliance's allies in Tamil Nadu had been reportedly putting pressure on the Government to install a more friendly Governor. The DMK leadership, in particular, was keen on having Mr. Barnala in the Raj Bhavan. Ever since the Manmohan Singh Government took office, Mr. Rao was seen as a nominee of the former BJP president, Venkaiah Naidu.

Two weeks ago, Mr. Rao was informed by the Centre that it wanted to shift him. He was offered the Governorship of Arunachal Pradesh, where the incumbent Governor, V.C. Pande's term is coming to an end in mid-November. However, Mr. Rao refused to accept the offer. It has now become a controversial issue not only between the Centre and the State, but also between the United Progressive Alliance and the National Democratic Alliance.

Patil refuses comment

Earlier in the day, the Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil, refused to comment on Mr. Rao's resignation, but said the Government was ready for a discussion in Parliament.

Among other gubernatorial appointments likely to follow over the next few days are those of the senior Congress leader and former Union Home Minister, Buta Singh, who is likely to be appointed the Governor of Bihar (where the Governor, Rama Jois, has already put in his papers, rather than face the Centre's axe). For the Raj Bhavan in Rajasthan (vacated by the veteran BJP leader, Madan Lal Khurana), the name of senior Congress leader, Bansi Lal, who recently merged his Haryana Vikas Party with the Congress, was doing the rounds, sources said.

Verma resigns?

Another vacancy is likely to arise in Punjab where the Governor, O.P. Verma, is reported to have sent in his resignation.

The sources said that the Uttaranchal Chief Minister, N.D. Tiwari, is also likely to get a governor's job. Some other senior Congress leaders who have emerged as aspirants for similar assignments include J.B. Patnaik, former Chief Minister of Orissa, Kumudben Joshi, a former Governor, and Urmilaben, wife of the former Gujarat Chief Minister, the late Chimanbhai Patel.

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