Captain Amarinder Singh Likely Tipped for J&K LG
Srinagar, July 06: Former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh (81) is likely to be appointed as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, replacing Manoj Sinha, who has held the post since August 2020.
Speculation about the reshuffling of state governors has been circulating amidst the ongoing Union Cabinet reshuffle and preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in April next year. While the decision is yet to be officially confirmed, a close aide to Captain Amarinder has hinted at his desire to serve the people of Jammu and Kashmir as the Lieutenant Governor.
According to BJP sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is considering several changes in the state governors ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. One of the prominent names under consideration is Captain Amarinder Singh, who recently joined the BJP after dissolving his unsuccessful regional party, which he formed after his expulsion from the Congress. At 81 years old, Captain Amarinder’s vast political experience and leadership skills make him a potential candidate for the crucial role.
While Prime Minister Modi remains tight-lipped about his plans, insiders reveal that a few governors might step down from their positions to participate in the upcoming elections. Among them is Arif Mohammed Khan (71), the current governor of Kerala. However, BJP leaders refrain from speculating, as they are wary of attracting the Prime Minister’s attention and ire.
Sources close to Captain Amarinder Singh claim that he was initially led to believe that the BJP would rely on him to secure Lok Sabha seats in Punjab. However, he felt slighted when the BJP appointed Sunil Jakhar, another Congress leader and son of former Lok Sabha Speaker Balram Jakhar, as the President of the party’s Punjab unit. In an effort to placate Captain Amarinder, Prime Minister Modi has likely proposed his appointment as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, a significant position that holds considerable influence.
It is important to note that the position of Lieutenant Governor in J&K was established after the revocation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution in August 2019, which granted special autonomous status to the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. The change in the administrative setup aimed to bring about better governance, development, and integration of the region with the rest of India.
Since 2019, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed significant changes in its Lieutenant Governor (LG) position, marking a shift in the governance of the region.
Girish Chandra Murmu (October 2019 – August 2020): became the first LG of the newly reorganized Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. He played a crucial role in overseeing the transition of Jammu and Kashmir from a state to a Union Territory.
Manoj Sinha (August 2020 – Present) succeeded Girish Chandra Murmu and assumed the office of LG. With a strong political background, Sinha has been actively working towards the development and welfare of Jammu and Kashmir. He has focused on initiatives to promote peace, development, and inclusive governance in the UT (Sources).
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