Lobbying for Governors in full swing

Home Minister L K Advani said the Governors would be appointed soon. The appointments, it is learnt, are likely to be made a few days after the Cabinet expansion likely around January 15.

The machinations are such that even Gujarat Governor Anshuman Singh, firmly in the saddle, may be pulled out if former Rajasthan chief minister and now leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Bhairon Singh Shekhawat has his way. Shekhawat wants Singh as Governorof Rajasthan for political reasons. the move, obviously is being opposed tooth and nail by the Congress Government. It was in this connection that CM Ashok Gehlot met Advani.

According to reports, Shekhawat is also in touch with Advani. Both he and Gehlot have stressed the need for immediate appointment of a Governor since after Darbara Singh’s death, the Chief Justice of Rajasthan HC has been discharging the Governor’s functions.

Shekhawat’s choice of Anshuman Singh, an old friend, is obvious in the altered equation in the state where he was a CM till a few months ago. By ensuring that “his man” occupies the slot, Shekhawat wants to maintain his (till now) unchallenged position within the State party unit as well as rein in the Congress leadership, it is argued.

In Bengal too, the appointment of a new Governor is hanging fire. Once again the cause is political squabbling, but here the BJP is finding its own ally, Mamata Banerjee, on the other side of the fence. Viren Shah, former BJP MP in the RajyaSabha, was first tipped for the post. His name is being considered yet again. The CPI(M) Government in the state agreed to it, but Mamata put her foot down.

In Arunachal, Governor Mata Prasad is continuing because nobody has decided on his successor. Apang prefers a retired officer of the Assam Rifles and has told Vajpayee that making this man the Governor would be the Centre’s New Year gift to the state.