Kalyan Singh sworn in as Governor

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 28

While refusing to be drawn into any political controversy by commenting on the love-jihad allegations in Himachal, Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh today said it had always been a pleasure for him to be in the hills.

Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir administered the oath to Kalyan Singh who has been given the additional charge of Himachal.

Chief Secretary P Mitra read the warrant of appointment before the oath ceremony at Raj Bhawan here today. “I do not want to make any political comments, but it feels good to be in the hills and the people of Himachal are very nice and peace-loving,” he said when asked about his views on the love-jihad issue.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, Leader of the Opposition PK Dhumal, ministers, legislators and senior officials of the state government were present at the oath ceremony. Later Virbhadra and Dhumal separately met Kalyan Singh at Raj Bhawan.

Kalyan Singh was born on January 5, 1932, at Madholi in Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh. A two-time Chief Minister of UP, Kalyan Singh was elected to the Legislative Assembly six consecutive times. He was among the senior BJP leaders who were appointed Governor after the formation of the Modi gvernment at the Centre. He assumed the office of the Governor of Rajasthan on September 4, 2014.

He also remained a Member of Parliament (MP) from 2004 to 2014. He also held the powerful post of Uttar Pradesh BJP president and national vice-president of the BJP for two terms.