New Governor Kavinder Gupta Takes Charge in Himachal, Political Signals Stir Debate. Will Gupta Delivers on what he says or work to Sink Sukhu’s Government, something he did to Sonam Wangchuk in Ladakh?
Shimla, March 10:
Himachal Pradesh got a new Governor on Monday as Kavinder Gupta was sworn in at a simple but carefully watched ceremony at Lok Bhavan. The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.
The ceremony, attended by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, had its own political undertones.
Observers noted that Gupta warmly hugged Jai Ram Thakur, while greeting Sukhu, Agnihotri and Pathania with a formal handshake — a subtle gesture that quickly triggered political chatter in the corridors of power.
Gupta, a long-time figure associated with the BJP and considered to have strong links with the RSS, has stepped into the Lok Bhavan at a politically sensitive time.
With the Congress government led by Sukhu just having two years in office and the state heading into the election mode next year, the role of the new Governor will be closely watched.
His predecessor Shiv Pratap Shukla could not leave any strong imprint on the hill state during his tenure. He sat on number of BIlls passed by the Sukhu government.
This stood in contrast to earlier Lok Bhavan initiatives launched by Shukla's predecessor Acharya Devvrat who promoted natural farming, which had become a flagship model for Himachal’s natural farming.
Speaking to media after the ceremony, Gupta attempted to strike a balanced tone.
He said the Governor’s office is a constitutional responsibility and not aligned with any political party.
“I will work strictly according to the Constitution and maintain coordination with the state government,” he said, adding that his focus would be on youth welfare, education quality, environmental protection and drug-free campaigns.
Gupta also cited his experience as Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, where he travelled extensively across difficult terrain.
However, his tenure there had its own controversies. Activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk had even landed in jail during protests over Ladakh’s governance issues, and Gupta was widely seen as having strained relations with the activist, who later emerged as a powerful voice on regional and political aspirations.
It needs to be mentioned here that CM Sukhu had airdashed to Srinagar and fanned antiModi government stance among Apple growers of Jammu and Kashmir, Gupta's home state, on the issue of free trade agreements with the New Zealand, EU and US.
The trade agreements would runibe apple farmers of Himachal and Jammu and Kashmir, he had pleaded.
The new Governor has now signalled priorities ranging from natural farming and tribal development to strengthening tourism and implementing the National Education Policy.
He also spoke about promoting border development programmes such as the Vibrant Village initiative and accelerating efforts to eliminate tuberculosis.
Yet, beyond policy statements, political observers believe the real test will lie in how Gupta navigates the delicate relationship with the Sukhu government. In a state where Lok Bhavan has often played a quiet but crucial role in political equations, the arrival of a Governor with deep ideological roots in the BJP ecosystem could tighten the pressure on the Congress regime.
For Chief Minister Sukhu, who is still consolidating his administration and will soon step into the election year phase of governance, the equations with Lok Bhavan may become one of the defining political storylines in the coming months.
The Governor in public perception is the agent of the Centre, it is another matter what Constitution speaks about his/her role and office. Next two years will unfold His Excellancy's true colours.
