Om Prakash Mathur to be Sworn In as Kerala Governor on October 23
Om Prakash Mathur will take oath as the 29th Governor of Kerala on October 23. Read about his background and other new gubernatorial appointments.
In a significant administrative shift, Om Prakash Mathur is set to be sworn in as the Governor of Kerala on October 23. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Lok Bhavan Auditorium between 12:00 pm and 12:30 pm. Justice Soumen Sen, the Chief Justice of the High Court of Kerala, will administer the oath of office to the Governor-designate.
Who is Om Prakash Mathur?
Om Prakash Mathur brings a wealth of political and organizational experience to the role. Hailing from Bedal village in the Bali area of Rajasthan's Pali district, Mathur is a graduate of Rajasthan University. His journey into public life began as an RSS Pracharak, which laid the foundation for his long-standing association with the BJP.
Over the years, he has held several high-profile positions, including:
- BJP General Secretary in charge of Gujarat.
- Member of the Rajya Sabha representing Rajasthan.
- Governor of Sikkim (his previous gubernatorial assignment).
Mathur succeeds Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar, becoming the 29th Governor of Kerala. Mr. Arlekar has been transferred to serve as the Governor of Tamil Nadu.
A Broader Gubernatorial Reshuffle
The appointment of Om Prakash Mathur is part of a larger reshuffle involving six states. President Droupadi Murmu recently appointed four other new Governors to various states. Here are the details of the new appointments issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan:
Sudha Yadav – Governor of Karnataka
A prominent OBC leader from Haryana, Sudha Yadav is a former Lok Sabha MP from Mahendragarh and a member of the BJP Parliamentary Board. Academically distinguished, she holds an MSc and a PhD in Chemistry from IIT Roorkee. Between 2019 and 2022, she served on the National Commission for Backwards Classes. Her entry into politics followed the martyrdom of her husband, Sukhbir Singh Yadav, a BSF Deputy Commandant who lost his life during the Kargil War.
Dhal Singh Bisen – Governor of Uttarakhand
Dhal Singh Bisen, an OBC (Bhoyar Pawar) leader, is a former Lok Sabha MP from Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh. His extensive experience includes serving as an MLA and a Cabinet Minister in the Madhya Pradesh government, where he managed portfolios such as Transport, Mines, Forest, and School Education. He also chaired the Madhya Pradesh Fourth State Finance Commission. Professionally an Ayurveda practitioner, Bisen is known for his interest in integrating Indian systems of medicine with modern practices.
Braj Mohan Ram – Governor of Odisha
A Dalit leader from the Dhobi community, Braj Mohan Ram is a seasoned parliamentarian from Jharkhand. He represented Palamu in the Lok Sabha for three consecutive terms (1996, 1998, and 1999) and previously served as an MLA in undivided Bihar. He has been deeply involved with the Dhobi Mahasangh and the Scheduled Caste Morcha, and has worked toward establishing educational institutions in Chandwa.
Dushyant Gautam – Governor of Sikkim
Dushyant Gautam, a former BJP National General Secretary and former president of the party's Scheduled Caste Morcha, has been appointed as the Governor of Sikkim. His political career includes serving as a councillor in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
These appointments will officially take effect as each individual assumes charge of their respective offices.