Jammu and Kashmir’s longest serving Governor NN Vohra was finally relieved of his duty following differences with the Central government. Vohra will be replaced by current Bihar Governor Satya Pal Malik.
Vohra’s views differed from the Centre’s on the government formation in the state as wells as the over Article 35A on state’s land ownership rights. He has been the J&K governor for more than a decade. The state is under Governor’s Rule since June 20 this year following BJP’s pull out of the coalition with People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led by Mehbooba Mufti. The ruling party at the centre said it was “untenable” to continue with the coalition in wake of security concerns and rising terrorism.
According to a report in NDTV, the central government was at loggerheads with Vohra over the new government formation. “At this late stage he is not ready to accommodate certain decisions,” a senior official of the home ministry was quoted as saying by the website.
However, Vohra took charge of Jammu and Kashmir during the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and was allowed continue in the position even after BJP came to power in 2014 with a massive mandate. His term expired on June 28, but the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) extended his stay keeping in mind the Amarnath Yatra as the Governor looks after the security for the annual pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, Malik has been a BJP lawmaker and also the national vice-president of the party. He was given the charge of Bihar only last September. He also donned the cap of Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism back in 1990.
The 72-year-old politician has been a veteran and also served as the Rajya Sabha member twice from the saffron brigade. He stepped onto the Lok Sabha after winning general election in 1989. Another BJP veteran Lalji Tandon will be the new Bihar Governor.