Satya Pal Malik is new J&K Governor

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 21

Bihar Governor Satya Pal Malik was on Tuesday shifted to Jammu and Kashmir, replacing NN Vohra who held the post for 10 years. Significantly, the 72-year-old will be the first career politician to be appointed as Governor of the restive state after Karan Singh (1965-1967). Before this, the latter was Sadar-e-Riyasat after the state was annexed with the Indian Union.

Incumbent Governor Vohra, who completed 10 years in June, was given an extension in view of the Amarnath Yatra which began on June 28 and is to conclude on August 26.

Senior BJP leader Lalji Tandon, who replaces Malik as Bihar Governor, was a confidant of ex-PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He represented the Lucknow LS seat (2009-14).

In Haryana, former BJP MLA Satyadev Narayan Arya replaces Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki. A former member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, he had successfully contested the 2010 polls from the Rajgir (Reserved) constituency. He is seen close to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. 

Dalit leader Baby Rani Maurya, also from UP, has been appointed Uttarakhand Governor. She replaces former IPS officer KK Paul, whose term ended in July. Maurya has served as Mayor of the Agra Municipal Corporation and heads the UP Child Rights Commission. In the North-East, Governor of Meghalaya Ganga Prasad goes to Sikkim. He will be replaced by Tathagata Roy, now Tripura Governor, while Solanki takes his place in Tripura. A Rashtrapati Bhavan communiqué said, “The appointments will take effect from the dates the incumbents assume charge of their respective offices”.

Seven states get new Governors

SP Malik (JAMMU & KASHMIR)

Served as MoS for Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism and held important positions in Central and UP govts

Rajya Sabha MP for two terms and a Lok Sabha MP from 1989 to 1990, he was member of the UP Assembly from 1974 to 1977

Has been chairman and member of several parliamentary panels; associated with Bhartiya Kranti Dal, Lok Dal, Congress and Janata Dal and the BJP during his political career

SN Arya (Haryana)

Successfully contested the 2010 polls from the Rajgir (Reserved) constituency

An eight-term Bihar MLA, was a minister in the 2010 BJP-JD(U) govt in the state

He is seen close to the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar

•  Lalji Tandon, Bihar
•  Baby Rani Maurya, Uttarakhand
•  Ganga Prasad, From Meghalaya to Sikkim
•  Tathagata Roy, From Tripura to Meghalaya
•  Kaptan Singh Solanki, From Haryana to Tripura