NEW DELHI/AHMEDABAD, JAN 13: In a swift but expected development, Gujarat Governor Anshuman Singh was today moved to Rajasthan. It's a shot in the arm for Bhairon Singh Shekhawat who had been lobbying hard for the transfer. But the timing has raised several eyebrows in political circles. At the time when attacks against Christians have gripped the state, moving the Governor has prompted Opposition parties in the state to doubt the Centre's intentions.State Congress chief C D Patel said Singh had been shunted out because of the Keshubhai Patel government's ``unhappiness'' with him on important issues. Rashtriya Janata Party president Shankersinh Vaghela said that the Governor was concerned over the attacks on the minorities. Vaghela said that although appointed by the Vajpayee Government, Singh was not liked by the Chief Minister because he could not be taken for a ride.At another level, Singh's appointment as Rajasthan Governor is being seen as a victory for Shekhawat and a setback for Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. In fact, Shekhawat had already met the Union Home Minister L K Advani several times.No decision has been taken on Singh's successor in Gujarat. A Rashtrapati Bhawan communique said that Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court K G Balakrishnan would discharge the function of Governor. The Governor's slot in Rajasthan had fallen vacant in May following the death of Darbara Singh.The appointments, according to the communique, would take effect from the day the two (Singh and Balakrishnan) assume charge of their respective offices. With Singh being moved out, the focus is now on West Bengal where Governor A R Kidwai's tenure ended a while ago. There are several contenders for the post, including ex-Rajya Sabha MP Biren Shah. But while both the BJP and the state CPI(M) are amenable to him, Mamata Banerjee is not so keen.Arunachal Pradesh is another state where the present Governor (Mata Prasad) is due for a change. But here, Chief minister Gegong Apang and the State BJP are stuck with their own nominees.Among the names being mentioned as likely Gujarat Governor are those of former Delhi Chief Ministers Sahib Singh Verma and Sushma Swaraj and Bihar Governor and RSS member S S Bhandari.
