Government Reshuffles Governors: Ajay Kumar Bhalla to Manipur, V K Singh to Mizoram

NEW DELHI: In a major reorganization, the government on Tuesday announced several gubernatorial appointments, approved by President Droupadi Murmu.

The most prominent appointments include former Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla as Governor of Manipur and former Army Chief General V K Singh as Governor of Mizoram. These appointments come when the respective states face very complex political and social challenges.

Ajay Kumar Bhalla, who retired as the Union Home Secretary in August 2024, has been given the appointment of Governor in Manipur. This move is particularly significant, taking into account the ethnic conflict that has been going on in the state for over 18 months.

Violence that erupted on May 3, 2023, has witnessed the continuing Meitei and Kuki communities clashes even with considerable Central Armed Police Forces and Army personnel deployment. During the initial phase of the violence, Bhalla played a crucial role as Union Home Secretary at the national level.

With his new position as Governor, he comes directly in contact with the ground realities of the state. Bhalla is expected to leverage his administrative experience and understanding of the conflict to facilitate negotiations between the warring communities and try to bring peace and stability to Manipur.

Former Army Chief and Union Minister General V K Singh has been appointed as the Governor of Mizoram. The appointment has strategic importance as Mizoram shares strong cultural and ethnic ties with the Chin-Kuki hill tribes of Manipur, which are central to the ongoing turmoil in the neighboring state.

General Singh is a veteran in managing complicated situations during his military and political life. His appointment comes as a result of the huge loss the BJP faced during the last Mizoram Assembly elections. It is perceived that this is an effort to strengthen the party in the region by overcoming all challenges before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Arif Mohammed Khan, the Governor of Kerala who had a history of confrontations with the CPI(M)-led state government headed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has been transferred as Bihar Governor.

It is important to note that Bihar will hold its state assembly polls next year. Khan's stint in Kerala was replete with controversies, ranging from issues related to appointments at the university level to governance-related problems.

His transfer to Bihar, therefore, puts him in a political hotbed where his skills in diplomacy and administration are put to test. Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, who was officiating as Governor of Mizoram, has been shifted as Governor of Odisha. A seasoned BJP worker and a staunch party loyalist, Kambhampati comes with a political background of distinction.

During the Emergency, he actively participated in the JP movement and was put behind the bars for six months for violating the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA).Kambhampati has also served as an MLA from Visakhapatnam-I and as the president of the BJP’s Andhra Pradesh unit.

His appointment to Odisha is in line with the BJP’s tradition of rewarding dedicated party veterans, particularly those with a history of activism and organizational skills.

Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, the current Governor of Bihar, has been appointed as the Governor of Kerala. An RSS veteran and long-time BJP leader, Arlekar has held various positions within the party since joining in 1989. He was an active member of the Goa BJP and was considered for the Chief Minister’s post when Manohar Parrikar moved to the Union Cabinet in 2014, though the position ultimately went to Laxmikant Parsekar. 

Arlekar’s gubernatorial journey began in July 2021 when he was appointed as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh. He later served as Governor of Bihar before being moved to Kerala. His deep roots in the RSS and BJP, coupled with his extensive political experience, make him a significant figure in his new role.

In a related development, the President accepted the resignation of Raghubar Das as Governor of Odisha. This move has fueled speculation about Das’s potential return to active politics in Jharkhand, where he previously served as Chief Minister. Das’s resignation has been widely discussed within political circles, hinting at a strategic reshuffling within the BJP.

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