Ex-Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla appointed as Manipur Governor as several states get new Guvs

Former Army chief Vijay Kumar Singh has been appointed as Mizoram Governor, while Arif Mohammed Khan has been transferred from Kerala to Bihar.

New Delhi: Former Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla was on Tuesday appointed Governor of ethnic violence-hit Manipur within four months of his retirement while Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has been transferred to poll-bound Bihar and Odisha Governor Raghubar Das quit the post in what is seen as a signal of his returning to Jharkhand politics.

Gen V K Singh, former Army chief and ex-union minister, was also appointed to Mizoram from where Hari Babu Kambhampati has been shifted to Odisha Raj Bhavan in place of Das. Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar is going to Kerala in place of Khan.

These appointments will take effect from the dates they will assume charge of their respective offices, an official statement said.

The appointments made by President Droupadi Murmu on the recommendations of the Narendra Modi government are seen as rehabilitating two former officials, including Singh who became a two-term MP and minister twice, and with ample political signals with Das resignation seen as his return to state politics after BJP lost Jharkhand polls.

The appointment of Bhalla (64), who retired in August this year after completing a rare five years in the post, is seen as an attempt to stem the trouble in the north-eastern state. The government believes that his experience as the Home Secretary who closely watched the developments since May 2023 when the violence erupted would come in handy.

Bhalla has worked with Home Minister Amit Shah for the past five years and had implemented Modi government’s key initiatives of abrogation of Article 370 and Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

With his appointment, Manipur would be having a full-time Governor after Anasuya Uikey was removed as the Governor in July this year. Assam Governor Laxman Acharya was holding additional charge of Manipur.

Gen Singh’s appointment to Mizoram is also considered with strategic and security aspects in mind. The 74-year-old soldier-turned-politician did not contest the Lok Sabha elections after winning Ghaziabad seat twice and became a Minister of State in the Modi government from 2014 to 2024.

Shifting Khan (73), who was at loggerheads with the CPI(M)-led Kerala government, to Bihar also comes at a time when there are just months left for the Assembly elections where JD(U)-led NDA would be seeking re-election. Arlekar, a former Goa Minister who is now going to Kerala Raj Bhavan, was also Governor of Himachal Pradesh.

Governors

Manipur: Ajay Bhalla (Laxman Acharya relieved of additional charge)

Odisha: Hari Babu Kambhampati (Shifted from Mizoram after Raghubar Das resigns)

Mizoram: Gen VK Singh (Kambhampati shifted to Odisha)

Bihar: Arif Mohd Khan (Rajendra V Arlekar shifted to Kerala)

Kerala: Rajendra V Arlekar (Arif Mohd Khan shifted to Bihar)