The UPA leadership is toying with the idea of sending senior politicians as governors to states where the post is already vacant or in those where the incumbents are about to retire. Shivraj Patil, Mohsina Kidwai and Santosh Mohan Deb are some of the prominent names doing the rounds. The list of probables also has former defence secretary Vijay Singh.
The Congress chooses its seniors for gubernatorial roles in case certain states require some political handling, or where they are too old for active politics and cannot be accommodated in the council of ministers. Shivraj Patil had a mixed innings as home minister and quit his post in the aftermath of the 26 /11 terror attacks in Mumbai. Though Patil continues to be a member of the Rajya Sabha he has been keeping a low profile since his resignation and the Congress leadership is reportedly thinking of sending himas governor of Punjab in place ofGeneral Rodrigues, whose term ended on Monday.
Mohsina Kidwai is yet another veteranwho is likely to begiven a gubernorial posting. Kidwai is currently a member of the Rajya Sabha and the Congress Working Committee, the party’s apex decision-makign body, but she is getting on in years. Yet another name under consideration is that of Santosh Mohan Deb. Hewas a minister inUPA’s first term but lost the 2009 elections and has been in political wilderness since then.
There are several vacancies that are likely to arise in the next two months. Theterm ofTamil Nadu governor SS Barnala expires later in the month.The terms ofthree other governors — Gopal Gandhi (West Bengal),Syed Sibte Razi (Assam) and SS Sidhu(Goa) expire in December. The Centre is also has on the look out for a governor for Gujarat as Maharashtra governor SC Jamir is holding temporary charge of the state.
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