Jammu and Kashmir is likely to get a new governor in the coming days as the reigns of the state are likely to be taken from the hands of Governor N N Vohra. The central government is planning to rope in the current Comptroller and Auditor General Rajiv Mehrishi for the post. N N Vohra has been overseeing the role of the head of the state since June 20th when BJP toppled the government of Mehbooba Mufti in the state. Ending the alliance with the Mufti led PDP gave BJP the chance to control the state and pull it back in its grip. With the passage of time some differences seem to have crept in between the central government and the Governor of J&K over the issue of forming a new government in the state.
According to reports, Vohra has also written a letter to the Home Minister Rajnath Singh asking that the issue of Article 35A be dealt with only when there is a popular government in the state. Article 35A is a touchy topic in the state, the Article deals with deciding who are ‘permanent residents’, it also deals with providing special rights and privileges to the residents. The rule has been challenged in the Supreme Court which the BJP led central government has decided not to challenge in the apex court.
According to sources, the government might also be looking forward to the appointment of a former Army chief as the new Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. “Either a senior bureaucrat or a former general would replace Vohra and no politician would be head of the state, as it would have international ramifications,” a senior official was quoted as saying. There have been speculations that Major General Gagandeep Bakshi is being discussed for the post. A fierce nationalist and a firebrand leader General G.D. Bakshi’s appointment as the governor would see an unmatched crackdown on the terrorists operating in and across the Kashmir valley. He has already faced many challenges on the Line of Control and has the knowledge of planning and executing counter-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. General Bakshi is likely to crush separatists with a heavy hand given a chance and would be willing to comply with a new BJP led government in the state while he focuses on the Army and its activities.
General Syed Ata Hasnain, a retired Three-Star General of the Indian Army too would have been an ideal candidate for the position. The only hindrance in his appointment would be that the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir is also the De Jure chief of the Amarnath Shrine Board. At this point therefore, retired IAS and the current C&AG Rajiv Mehrishi and General G.D. Bakshi are in the running for the position of Governor in the state. While with the passage of time the government might decide to either change its mind of removing N N Vohra or installs some other governor,whatever decision made by the government it is definitely going to be a well planned move in the state. The final confirmation is likely to be made in a few days after the conclusion of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.