Sources indicate that Rajendra Arlekar, currently the Governor of Kerala, may soon be formally appointed as Tamil Nadu’s permanent Governor.
After Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi was moved to West Bengal, Arlekar took charge as the in-charge Governor of Tamil Nadu on March 12.
Arlekar, who assumed a Governor’s post on July 13, 2021, is set to complete five years in office on July 13, prompting speculation on whether his tenure would be extended. He met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on July 1, where an extension of his gubernatorial tenure was reportedly discussed.
The report claims Shah is satisfied with Arlekar’s functioning in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and has appreciated his handling of an “unusual situation” when the TVK formed a government in Tamil Nadu without a clear majority.
With a broader reshuffle of Governors said to be under consideration, the Centre is reportedly planning to appoint Arlekar as Tamil Nadu’s full-time Governor and name a senior BJP leader from Tamil Nadu as Kerala Governor. The report adds that Arlekar has shown increased interest in Tamil Nadu matters, including efforts to find an amicable solution to the Vice-Chancellor appointment issue in universities.
