Rajendra Arlekar Sworn In As Kerala's 23rd Governor: Key Highlights From The Ceremony

On Thursday, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar took the oath as the 23rd Governor of Kerala, marking the beginning of his term in the southern state. Arlekar, who was previously the Governor of Bihar, succeeded Arif Mohammed Khan, who has now been appointed the Governor of Bihar.

Swearing-In Ceremony and Dignitaries Present

The oath of office was administered by Kerala High Court Chief Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar during a formal ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, along with various dignitaries including Kerala's Chief Secretary Sharada Muraleedharan and Additional Chief Secretary for General Administration K R Jyothilal, were present to welcome the newly appointed Governor and his wife, Anagha Arlekar.

The ceremony, which began at 10:30 am, was attended by several prominent figures such as West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose, Kerala Assembly Speaker A N Shamseer, and opposition leaders like V D Satheesan, among others. The event also witnessed MPs Shashi Tharoor and A A Rahim in attendance, adding to the significance of the occasion.

Governor Arlekar's First Day in Office

After the swearing-in, Governor Arlekar, along with his family, visited the famous Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram to offer prayers. The temple authorities gave him a warm welcome, presenting him with the Onavillu, a photograph of Lord Padmanabha, and a calendar as tokens of respect.

A Smooth Transition in Governance

Arlekar’s appointment follows the recent decision by President Droupadi Murmu to transfer Arif Mohammed Khan to Bihar as its new Governor. The smooth transition of power in Kerala’s Raj Bhavan highlights the ongoing political shifts and the reshuffling of gubernatorial positions across states.

As Kerala embarks on a new chapter under Governor Arlekar's leadership, the state's residents and political figures alike look forward to the policies and initiatives that will shape Kerala's future under his governance.

Arlekar’s Arrival and Reception in Kerala

Arlekar arrived in Kerala's capital, Thiruvananthapuram, on Wednesday evening, where he was warmly welcomed at the international airport by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Speaker A N Shamseer, and other state ministers, K Rajan and Ramachandran Kadannappally. This marks a new era of leadership for Kerala, as Arlekar takes charge of the state's top constitutional position.