Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar's comments at public events reflect a strong ideological stance, which could set the stage for a new era of confrontation with Kerala’s Left government.
Published Dec 24, 2024 | 11:12 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 25, 2024 | 9:54 AM
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.
President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday, 24 Tuesday, reassigned Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan to Bihar.
Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar will replace Khan as Kerala’s 29th Governor.
Known for his deep association with the RSS and his outspoken views, Arlekar’s arrival is likely to further heat up Kerala’s political landscape.
Born on 23 April 1954 in Panaji, Arlekar has been affiliated with the RSS since childhood and has been an active BJP member since the 1980s.
His political journey includes two terms as an MLA in Goa, serving as Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, and holding ministerial portfolios in the state government. He is credited with making Goa’s legislative Assembly the first in India to go paperless.
Arlekar’s national profile grew when he was appointed Governor of Himachal Pradesh and later Bihar.
His comments at public events reflect a strong ideological stance, which could set the stage for a new era of confrontation with Kerala’s Left government.
Just two days ago, at a book launch in Goa, Arlekar made waves with a fiery critique of historians and leftist narratives.
Speaking at the event, he said, “The Leftists tried to set a narrative in our country. When India became independent in 1947, the Nehruvian model—a Leftist model—was followed. Members of Jawaharlal Nehru’s cabinet had Leftist inclinations, and their faith and trust lay elsewhere.”
His remarks went viral on social media, offering a glimpse into his ideological leanings.
Arlekar’s predecessor Khan, who completed his tenure on 6 September 2024, leaves behind a legacy of friction with the state government. He will continue till the new Governor takes charge.
Arif Mohammad Khan
His tenure was marked by multiple high-profile confrontations, including one sparked by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s comments in an interview, which Khan claimed undermined constitutional provisions.
The Governor also clashed with the Chief Minister over issues such as gold smuggling accusing the state government of failing to brief him on “grave anti-national activities.”
Arlekar’s arrival signals a continuation—and perhaps an escalation—of the uneasy relationship between the state government and the Governor’s office.
As a staunch RSS ideologue with extensive political experience, he is expected to challenge the Left government on ideological and governance fronts.
For Kerala, this marks the beginning of a new chapter in its already volatile political climate, with Arlekar poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the discourse.
Whether he adopts a collaborative or confrontational approach, his tenure is bound to set the state’s political narrative in the coming days.
With his Goa roots and strong BJP ties, Arlekar’s tenure in Kerala could prove to be as significant—and turbulent—as that of his predecessor.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
