New Delhi: At least seven gubernatorial and administrative posts could soon be in play across the country, setting the stage for one of the bigger reshuffles in recent years. Five incumbents have already completed more than five years in their current roles, while two more positions are opening up because of direct transition or necessity.
Admiral (Retd.) Devendra Kumar Joshi, Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has been in charge since 8 October 2017, giving him nearly eight years in Port Blair and making him the senior-most incumbent in terms of continuous tenure in one post.
Similarly, Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Gujarat since 22 July 2019, has crossed the six-year mark. Taken together with his earlier tenure in Himachal Pradesh between 2015 and 2019, he has now logged more than a decade straight in Raj Bhavans, the longest unbroken gubernatorial stint in the current lot.
Anandiben Patel, former Gujarat Chief Minister, has served as Governor of Uttar Pradesh since 29 July 2019 and has now completed more than six years in Lucknow, also holding additional charges of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh during this period.
Praful Khoda Patel, Administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu since 26 January 2020, has crossed the five-and-a-half-year mark, which is seen as unusual for a Union Territory appointment.
Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, assumed office on 7 August 2020 and crossed the five-year threshold this month, making him the newest entrant in the club amidst reports that his replacement could be announced anytime soon.
Beyond these five, two Raj Bhavans are already in flux. Maharashtra will fall vacant as Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan will have to resign after being elected as the NDA’s Vice-Presidential nominee, forcing an early appointment in one of the politically most significant states.
Nagaland is also facing a vacancy following the death of Governor La. Ganesan earlier this month, with Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla holding additional charge only as a temporary measure until a full-time replacement is named.
With five incumbents having crossed the five-year mark and two more vacancies unavoidable, at least seven Raj Bhavan posts are technically in play. These vacancies have come at a time when the ruling BJP is focused on Bihar polls and the upcoming polls in West Bengal, and it is likely to use these vacancies to accommodate senior and veteran leaders, apart from RSS picks.
