The corridors of power in New Delhi had started discussing the names of probable heavyweights likely to join Raj Bhavan in Jammu and Kashmir
As per political grapevine on June 19, 2018, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was sitting in her office chamber in the civil secretariat when a direct call from Raj Bhavan changed the course of state politics.
It was evident Governor NN Vohra would be returning to New Delhi but the manner in which he was finally shunted out of the office has left behind a bitter taste
In a brief chat the caller, Governor NN Vohra himself, intimated to her that BJP has withdrawn the support from her alliance government and the state party Chief had sent a letter announcing their withdrawal of support.
Two months later, a similar sequence of events unfolded.
This time Governor NN Vohra was undergoing routine health check-ups in New Delhi along with his wife on August 21 when he was intimated by the Union Home Ministry about the decision to appoint new Governor for the state of Jammu and Kashmir in his place. Before heading to New Delhi Governor had attended to his routine engagements and even went around the downtown areas to supervise the arrangements ahead of EID celebrations in the valley.
Stunned, Vohra was left with no choice either but to stay put in New Delhi.
Next morning newly appointed Governor Satya Pal Malik took a chartered plane from Patna, owned by Dainik Bhaskar Group, to land straight in Srinagar.
Next day he took an oath of office and secrecy leaving behind Vohra stranded in New Delhi. Vohra even remained conspicuous with his absence during the oath ceremony.
He was later accorded formal farewell by the state on August 24 in the lawns of SKICC.
An all-party delegation led by Dr Farooq Abdullah and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti called on him and bid him farewell.
What was the hurry?
For almost last two to three weeks the corridors of power in New Delhi had started discussing the names of probable heavyweights likely to join Raj Bhavan in Jammu and Kashmir.
It was evident Governor NN Vohra would be returning to New Delhi but the manner in which he was finally shunted out of the office has left behind a bitter taste. Vohra had completed two terms in office. He took over the charge at the peak of Amarnath land row in 2008 and served the state for two consecutive terms.
Whatever may be the circumstances who so ever was pulling the strings was implementing the picture perfect script for the audience to see and enjoy the ‘theatre of politics’.
After the fall of the BJP-PDP government in the state, it is widely believed Governor NN Vohra might have crossed paths with high and mighty in the corridors of power or had annoyed them by taking a firm stand on maintaining status quo with regard to Article 35-A which grants special status to citizens of Jammu and Kashmir.
A section of political observers also feels Governor NN Vohra was not ready to play ball as regards formation of new government in the state.
Whatever may be the circumstances who so ever was pulling the strings was implementing the picture perfect script for the audience to see and enjoy the ‘theatre of politics’. Now it remains to be seen whether the new Governor Satya Pal Malik would act merely as a rubber stamp of the centre by occupying his cozy seat in the Raj Bhavan or would follow the footprints of NN Vohra by not compromising his authority for petty politics.
Note:
1. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
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Art:35A is an obvious cause for the turmoils in the valley. The Governor has to play a role that is most appropriate for a nation that wants to transform, not to maintain a tumultuous past and present. Such transformation is what takes the nation forward.
Why would any national office holder support Articlle 35A?
Was Mr. Vohra in his senses?
“remains to be seen whether the new Governor Satya Pal Malik would act merely as a rubber stamp of the centre by occupying his cozy seat in the Raj Bhavan or would follow the footprints of NN Vohra by not compromising his authority for petty politics.”
So if the new governor agrees w/centre he’ll be a rubber stamp even if what centre wants him to do is right for the state & country in the short as well as the long run. According to the author the only way the Governor will stand out is by going against the Central govt. Supremely lame….
Rightly said
Governors’ job is to stay neutral and not toe any political agenda.
Governor is supposed to present a clear picture as per rule of law and there should not be any scope of playing ‘ dirty politics’
I think the author has clearly suggested that the new Governor is supposed to be a neutral player during his term in office and if at all he will start taking sides he too will be exposed. In case of NN Vohra he firmly opposed centre’s view on continuation of Article 35-A. In the coming days decisions taken by the new Governor would come under scanner and we can know which way the wind is blowing.
Exactly.The new governor has a responsibility to act towards achieving the Central Government’s policies mandated to them by the people. The idea of abrogating Art.35A has to be a follow through of the Central Government policies for which the Governor is entrusted to exercise without fear of repercussions.