Baijal front runner to replace J&K governor Vohra

NEW DELHI: Former Union home secretary Anil Baijal has emerged as a front runner to replace NN Vohra as the next governor of Jammu and Kashmir. Vohra had assumed

NEW DELHI: Former Union home secretary Anil Baijal has emerged as a front runner to replace NN Vohra as the next governor of Jammu and Kashmir. Vohra had assumed office in 2008.

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Baijal, a retired IAS officer, had served as a principal secretary to former Prime Minister IK Gujral. “His name is at the top of list of possible replacements,” said a government source.

Baijal was home secretary at the fag end of the Atal Bihari Vaj payee government. But he was transferred to civil aviation ministry after the UP A government came to power in May, 2004. His name had also featured for the post of principal secretary to Prime Minister after the NDA was voted to power in 2014.

Former Delhi lieutenant governor Vijai Kapoor, another former IAS officer, is also in the reckoning, said sources. Names of former army chief general VP Malik and retired lieutenant general Syed Ata Hasnain were reportedly also doing the rounds.

But, sources added, not many in Jammu and Kashmir may be comfortable with a former military man as the governor amid present crisis.

“When rumours of him being replaced reached Vohra, the governor apparently told New Delhi that it would be better if he does not get to know about his replacement from media ,” said the source.