Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is set to be sworn in as the 23rd Governor of Kerala today, January 2, 2025, at 10:30 AM in a grand ceremony at the Raj Bhavan Auditorium, Thiruvananthapuram. The oath of office will be administered by Chief Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar of the Kerala High Court.
Arlekar arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on January 1, where he was warmly welcomed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Assembly Speaker A.N. Shamseer, and other senior officials.
With a distinguished career in public service, Arlekar has previously served as the Governor of Bihar and Himachal Pradesh. He also held key positions, including Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly and Goa’s Minister for Environment and Forests.
He succeeds Arif Mohammed Khan, who has been appointed as the Governor of Bihar. The ruling CPI(M) in Kerala looks forward to fostering a collaborative relationship with Arlekar, in contrast to the strained ties during Khan’s tenure.
Ahead of his swearing-in, Arlekar emphasized his commitment to supporting the state government and expressed his intent to work in a spirit of cooperation rather than confrontation.
The ceremony will host around 400 dignitaries, including the Chief Minister, ministers, MLAs, and High Court judges, followed by a tea reception.
With vast experience in governance and public administration, Arlekar is expected to bring a positive and constructive approach to his role as Kerala’s new Governor.
