Megalaya Governor to take charge today

Chennai: Former RSS chief in Tamil  Nadu and senior BJP leader V. Shanmuganathan who is known for his organising skills and oratory will be sworn-in as the new governor of Meghalaya on Wednesday. Hailing from Thanjavur in the state, Mr Shanmuganathan a post-graduate and an M Phil in political science, had played a key role in developing the party in the state. “He is known for his powerful speeches and organisational skills. He belongs to the Telugu Chetty community  a backward community here,” says Mr M. Chakravarthy, State BJP vice president.

The gubernatorial appointment is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative. Mr Shanmuganathan joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in 1962 and later joined Bharatiya Janata Party and served in many party positions. He had been in charge of the Defence, Research & Documentation and Overseas Friends of BJP Cells. Before his elevation, he was the BJP national executive member and until recently was the secretary of the BJP parliamentary party.

He joined the RSS in 1962 and became a pracharak in 1970 and a praant (state) pracharak of Tamil Nadu for nearly 20 years. Sources said he is also said to be close to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.“His appointment as Governor is seen as a recognition to his contribution to developing the party in the state,” another BJP senior said. Mr V. Shanmuganathan will be sworn in by the Chief justice of the Meghalaya high court Uma Nath Singh.