Why Did TN Not Get a Full-Time Governor Even in Hour of Crisis?

Vidyasagar Rao took oath as the governor of Tamil Nadu on 2 September 2016. He is also the governor of Maharashtra.

Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa with C Vidyasagar Rao on 2 September 2016 when he took oath as governor of Tamil Nadu. (Photo Courtesy: Sarkaritel.com)

• C Vidyasagar Rao is currently the governor of Tamil Nadu as well as Maharashtra.
  
• It is shocking that a full-time governor has not been appointed for Tamil Nadu even after CM Jayalalithaa fell ill.
  
• Despite speculation in August 2016 that a senior BJP leader would assume governorship of Tamil Nadu, Rao ended up getting the job.

When Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa suffered a cardiac arrest in Chennai, acting governor C Vidyasagar Rao was away in Mumbai. He was reportedly asked by the Union Home Minister to rush to Chennai. Rao left the Navy Day function midway and took the 8.20 pm flight for Chennai.

Vidyasagar Rao is the governor of Maharashtra, and was given additional charge of Tamil Nadu when K Rosaiah's term ended on 30 August 2016. Rao took oath on 2 September and the function was attended by CM Jayalalithaa.

But why did an important state like Tamil Nadu, which has a population of over 8 crore, did not get a full-time governor? What’s even more shocking is that a full-time governor was not appointed even after Jayalalithaa was admitted to hospital on 23 September.

Also Read: Live: CM Jayalalithaa Suffers Cardiac Arrest; TN On High Alert

No One to Firefight

Tamil Nadu is not only a large state, it is politically sensitive and emotionally charged. When Jayalalithaa was in the ICU and there was no able leader in her party AIADMK to manage the crisis (Panneerselvam was a mere stop-gap arrangement), there was a need for a governor to look after the state. But Rao continued to live in Mumbai’s Raj Bhavan.

When Jayalalithaa suffered a cardiac arrest, the Centre swung into action. Home Minister Rajnath Singh, the PMO, and the chief of the CRPF got into action as thousands of AIADMK supporters rushed to Apollo Hospital. In these critical hours, the governor was unreachable as he was travelling.

The Centre will need to explain why a full-time appointment was not made.

Also Read: ‘Chennai’s Crying’: Jayalalithaa’s Failing Health Has Twitter Agog

Will the Modi Government Act Now?

Generally, veterans of the ruling party are appointed as governors. Former governor Rosaiah was appointed by the earlier UPA government. He had escaped the incoming NDA government’s axe in 2014 when seven governors appointed by the erstwhile dispensation had resigned.

There was speculation in August 2016 that a senior BJP leader would be sent to the Raj Bhavan in Chennai. But instead of making a new appointment from the veterans of party's 'Margadarshak Mandal', Rao was given an additional assignment.

74-year-old Rao is a lawyer by profession. He was a minister of state in the Vajpayee government. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Karimnagar in Telangana and enjoys support of the present BJP leadership.

Also Read: Day Before Cardiac Arrest, AIIMS Team Said Jayalalithaa Fully Fit