Former Goa Governor, Satya Pal Malik on Wednesday took oath as the new Governor of Meghalaya, replacing Tathagata Roy, who is likely to join politics in his home state, West Bengal.
Malik was transferred from Goa and appointed as the Governor of Meghalaya by President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday.
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Malik was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court, Justice Biswanath Somadder at the Raj Bhavan, Shillong on Wednesday night.
Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K. Sangma, Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh, Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew, Justice Wanlura Diengdoh, director general of police R Chandranathan and other officials attended the swearing-in ceremony.
No MLA from the opposition Congress were present.
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Chief minister Sangma welcomed the new Governor to the state on behalf of the government and the people.
Tathagata Roy was replaced by Malik after the former completed his five-year tenure as Governor in May this year.
Roy’s time at the Raj Bhavan was extended in view of the COVID19 situation.
The new Governor said his endeavour is to co-operate with the state government and take the state forward on its development journey.
“I have just arrived, and it will take time for me to understand the whole situation,” Malik said.
The swearing-in ceremony got delayed as the new Governor reached the Raj Bhavan hours later, though it was scheduled to begin at 6 pm.
Malik’s tenure in Goa was marked with differences of opinion with Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant in handling of the novel coronavirus situation in the coastal state, besides opposing Goa government’s plan for construction of a new Raj Bhavan (governor’s house) “as irrational and imprudent” when the state is battling COVID19 and reeling under financial crises.