Rajasekharan sworn-in as new Mizoram Governor
Aizawl, May 29: Kummanam Rajasekharan, who was the BJP's Kerala unit chief and a RSS activist, was on Tuesday sworn-in as the 23rd Governor of Mizoram.
Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Ajit Singh administered the oath of office to the new Governor at a simple ceremony in the Durbar hall of Raj Bhavan here.
Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, his cabinet colleagues, Chief Secretary Arvind Ray, leaders of various political parties, senior civil and police officials and other dignitaries were present in the swearing-in-ceremony.
President Ram Nath Kovind appointed Rajasekharan as the Governor of Mizoram, which has earned the dubious distinction of seeing ten governors since BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government came to power in May 2014.
He succeeded Lt. General Nirbhay Sharma (retd), whose tenure ended on Monday.
Rajasekharan began his political career as a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activist in the 1970s and became chief of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Ker unit in 2015.
Several organisations including Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) and People's Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) had opposed Rajasekharan's appointment.
These organisations in separate statements said that "he was not suitable for the Governor's post as he is an "active member of the RSS and was involved with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad".
"Posting a "political person" with an RSS background in could impact politics in Mizoram," the PRISM said in its statement.
Elections to the 40-seat assembly in the Christian-dominated Mizoram assembly would be held this year end.
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Fan tries to die by suicide over Nikhil Kumaraswamy's bypoll loss
Bengaluru: Channapatna JD(S) candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy, who lost the byelection to C.P. Yogeshwar of Congress, on Sunday consoled a fan who reportedly attempted to end his life and requested him not to repeat such acts.
Manjunath, fondly called Abhi, had even penned a letter before taking the dangerous step. Nikhil, who called on Manjunath at the latter’s home in Kudloor in Channapatna, expressed shock and sadness over the incident.
Nikhil Kumaraswamy reassured Manjunath, expressing his support during the difficult time. He told him that he was deeply troubled to learn of this incident and emphasised that he would stand by him. Nikhil also promised to offer assistance in any way he could, including helping him secure employment opportunities in the future, as reported by the Deccan Herald.
He also reminded Manjunath of the importance of his children’s well-being, urging him to focus on their future. “Please, look at the faces of your growing children. Even I have a three-year-old son. The children are young, let us take care of their future also. I will arrange some job opportunities for you. I might not be an MLA but this is a challenge. I will get you employed,” he said.
Nikhil told media persons that he is extremely hurt more by Manjunath’s attempt to die than by his loss in the election. “At 7:30 a.m., we got a message that in Valetoopu, Manjunath had consumed poison yesterday. In Channapatna, our workers and leaders have built this party with zeal. Let the admiration be there in your hearts but if it crosses the line, your families get hurt and we get very pained by it,” he was quoted as saying by the publication.
Speaking of his byelection loss, Nikhil reiterated that the JD(S) had got its traditional votes, but that the votes of a particular community went against the party.
“Deve Gowda gave reservation to a community. We tried our last attempt to take that community into confidence. But they conveyed to us that they do not require us. In future, we will take other communities into confidence,” he remarked in a veiled reference to Muslims.
Nikhil lost the election by a margin of 25,413 votes to Congress candidate C.P. Yogeshwar.
