S.P. Malik appointed new J&K governor

New Delhi: Bihar governor and BJP’s former national vice-president Satya Pal Malik has been transferred to Jammu and Kashmir to replace N.N. Vohra who has served as governor in the restive state for more than a decade.

Mr Vohra, who had handled the state four times between governments, leaves at a time when the state is facing intense debate over Article 35-A of the Constitution that deals with land ownership rights in the state. The state has been under governor’s rule since June 20, after the BJP ended its coalition government with Mehbooba Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party.

Mr Malik, 72, was appointed Bihar governor in September last year. He will be replaced by BJP veteran Lalji Tandon as Bihar governor.

Mr Malik has been a member of the Rajya Sabha twice. After winning in general elections, he also joined the Lok Sabha from 1989 to 1990.

President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday also appointmented new governors in five other states.