Bhagwant Mann plays perfect ‘host’ as Gulab Chand Kataria takes over as 37th Governor of Punjab
Ruchika M Khanna
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, July 31
As promised, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann welcomed with open arms veteran BJP leader Gulab Chand Kataria, who was sworn in as the 37th Governor of Punjab and UT Administrator, this morning. The Governor, however, touched a raw nerve by making a reference to the “irritants” between the AAP government and his predecessor, Banwarilal Purohit, whose nearly three-year term ended yesterday.
While the Chief Minister took the lead in escorting Kataria after he was administered the oath by the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Sheel Nagu, Mann’s wife, Dr Gurpreet Kaur, touched the Governor’s feet to seek his blessings.
Many close relatives of the Governor, who had specially come down to Punjab Raj Bhawan for the oath-taking ceremony, were seen taking selfies with the CM.
Earlier, Mann introduced the Governor to his Cabinet colleagues and escorted him as he met the dignitaries present on the occasion.
The CM said he was hopeful of strong ties with the new Governor, who has just finished a year-long stint as the Governor of Assam. Asked whether there would be better coordination between Raj Bhawan and the Chief Minister’s Office, Kataria said it was his first day in office. “Only time will tell. I have been given an important assignment. It will take six to eight months for people and political parties to analyse my work. I can assure you that I will work as a good public servant,” he responded.
Interestingly, just before Purohit’s term ended, his “frequent” visits to border areas had become a flashpoint with Mann. Asked if he would visit border areas, Kataria said he would certainly visit border districts, besides other districts.
The oath-taking ceremony lasted for just eight minutes, beginning with the rendition of the National Anthem. Punjab Chief Secretary Anurag Verma read the Warrant of Appointment, followed by the Chief Justice administering the oath. The Governor took the oath in chaste Hindi.
Among others present on the occasion were Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, ministers Harpal Cheema, Dr Balbir Singh, Lal Chand Kataruchak, Brahm Shanker Jimpa, Gurmeet Singh Khudian and Harbhajan Singh ETO, Advocate-General Gurminder Singh and some MLAs of opposition parties like Sandeep Jakhar and Nachhatar Pal.
CM’s wife seeks guv’s blessings
CM Bhagwant Mann’s wife, Dr Gurpreet Kaur Mann, and Education Minister Harjot Bains’ wife, Jyoti Yadav, created a buzz at the ceremony. While Dr Gurpreet was the centre of attention when she touched the Governor’s feet and played host to the women of his family, Yadav — posted as Mohali SP — set tongues wagging by occupying a seat in the front row, reserved for ministers. DGP Gaurav Yadav and other senior police officers were seated in the third row. Bains was not present at the ceremony.
Eight-time MLA
Before taking oath as Governor, Gulab Chand Kataria paid obeisance at the Sector 8 temple and gurdwara. Elected MLA eight times, Kataria hails from Udaipur in Rajasthan. He remained Home Minister in Rajasthan during 2004-08 and 2015-18. He also served as Education, Public Works and Panchayati Raj Minister and is a former Leader of Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly.
Badnore makes presence felt
A former Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh, VP Singh Badnore, was among the guests present. After the new Governor got off the stage, he embraced Badnore, who came dressed in his ceremonial red-and-yellow headgear.
