Zee Media Bureau
Mumbai: Hours after K Sankaranarayanan resigned from his post, Gujarat Governor Om Prakash Kohli on Sunday was sworn in as the new Governor of Maharashtra.
Earlier in the day, an official release by President Pranab Mukherjee`s office had stated that Sankaranarayanan had been transferred to Mizoram for the remainder of his term as Governor.
However, Sankaranarayanan put in his resignation upon being informed of his transfer, stating that he would no longer wish to be a Governor bearing the "disgrace of being transferred".
Sankaranarayanan also had indicated that he may return to active politics. "I am a free citizen from tomorrow. There will be no protocol. I am free to speak and criticise," he had said, ANI reported.
Sankaranarayanan was among the first batch of governors who was telephoned by Home Secretary Anil Goswami to put in his papers after change of government at the Centre.
Some governors had given in to the pressure and resigned, while others, including Sankaranarayanan, had dug in their heels and refused to do so.
Earlier, this month, Kohli was also appointed the duties of the Governor of Goa by President Pranab Mukherjee, which he was supposed to discharge in addition to his own duties, until regular arrangements are made for the office of the Governor of Goa.
The appointment was made following the completion of the tenure of Margaret Alva on August 5, who had been serving as the governor of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Goa.
He had been sworn in as the Governor of Gujarat in July this year, succeeding Kamla Beniwal, who was transferred to Mizoram.
