Govt short-lists names for governors

The vacancies which to be filled include Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal, Manipur, Karnataka and Punjab.

Though extremely unhappy at being excluded from the Vajpayee government in the third stint, Bakht is being persuaded to accept the Governorship of Karnataka. Khursheed Alam Khan has been on extension for the past several years due to the frequent change of government at the Centre.

Bakht has been politely told that the party needs non-controversial, trusted, able and experienced persons for gubernatorial assignments. Since he fulfills the requirements, he should accept the offer.This will help in promoting second generation MPs to come up on the national scene which will help the party in the long run.

Krishanlal Sharma, a senior party functionary, has lost from Chandigarh. He will have to wait for a few more months before being brought to the Rajya Sabha from Himachal Pradesh. Even there, it may not be possible due to domestic political compulsions. Therefore, Governorship is the second best option.

J P Mathur was offered the Governor’s post last year immediately after the Vajpayee government was sworn-in in March. But he wanted to play a political role. After a year and a half, it is now becoming clear that his experience is to be used as governor.

Though Union Home Minister L K Advani said on Wednesday that the process of choosing new incumbents for these Raj Bhawans will begin immediately after the current session of parliament on October 29, informal parleys among the BJP leaders and its allies have already begun.

One of the subjects that Punjab Chief Minister ParkashSingh Badal discussed with the Prime Minister and Advani on Tuesday was the appointment of an Akali Dal leader as Governor. Since the death of Darbara Singh who was inducted as Governor of Rajasthan, the Akalis have not had their share in gubernatorial appointments. Badal is keen that Surjit Singh Barnala be accommodated as governor if cannot be made deputy chairman of the planning commission. Barnala is pressing for his own inclusion in the Vajpayee government on the ground that if defeated BJP leaders (Bangaru Lakshman and O Rajgopal) can find a berth in the ministry, why can’t he be inducted.

K Padmanabhiah’s name has figured for the post of governor as he was appointed by the PM to talk to the Nagaland rebel groups for a lasting peace in the area. It is stated that his services would be required here for some more time here.

The Samata Party is keen that B M Lall, a former acting Chief Justice of Bihar who was State Governor be appointed in the state again. However, the issue has been left to the PMand the Defence Minister George Fernandes to sort it out.