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| Hoon, Hasnain in race with Dr Karan Singh for Guv post | | Vohra likely to go after Assembly elections | | Syed Junaid Hashmi
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Nov 28: New Delhi is all set to replace Governor N.N. Vohra with another man either from army background or someone who has served in the intelligence Bureau (IB) and dealt with Jammu and Kashmir for a long time.
Sources in New Delhi said that BJP had made up its mind to replace Vohra with former commander of the 15 Corps based in Srinagar Retired Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain who is currently visiting fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation, the conservative New Delhi-based think-tank whose founder and former director Ajit Doval is India's National Security Adviser (NSA). Hasnain has of late being writing on Kashmir frequently and can be seen toeing the line which has been taken by Prime Minister Narindra Modi and his government.
Sources said that Hasnain had almost packed bags when NSA rung him up and told him to wait for some more time since Prime Minister Narindra Modi had made up his mind not to replace Vohra before the assembly elections. Devastating floods made the situation worse and thus, the BJP government in New Delhi decided not to replace Vohra till the relief and rescue operation is not taken to some stage from where the new government could pick it up.
The announcement of assembly elections further eased the situation for Vohra, who was otherwise facing axe, added the sources. They maintained that Vohra is likely to be replaced despite him making all possible efforts to appease the BJP leadership in New Delhi as well as in Jammu and Kashmir. Sources disclosed that Narinder Nath Vohra has been vociferously using his old connections in BJP to ensure continuity in the Raj Bhawan.
Insiders said that Vohra was assured by a junior Minister in Modi Cabinet that he would not be replaced till he completes his tenure. He does not want to go, said a top BJP leader while adding that they have made up their mind to replace him with some other face possibly from Army or Intelligence background. Referring to Retired Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain, the leader said that he is one of the many choices.
"We have to look into possibilities and choose best man for Jammu and Kashmir. We have to bring back lost trust of people in the Indian establishment. For this, we need someone with mind and energy," added the leader. Sources said that Hasnain was also in the list of Congress led UPA government for the post of J&K's Governor after he retired as the Chief of Army's 15 Core. However, during his tenure as Army Chief of 15 core, Hasnain had a strained relationship with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over the question of revocation or amendment of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
This had resulted in him being dropped and Congress in New Delhi deciding to continue with Vohra. Another name which is being seriously debated in New Delhi is that of retired Lt. General Prem Nath Hoon. Having served as a frontline soldier during the Chinese Aggression, the 1965 war against Pakistan, Lt Gen Hoon commanded Operation Meghdoot which captured 7,500 sq km of strategic Indian Territory, illegally occupied and gradually being ceded to China by Pakistan in 1985.
He was Director General of Military Operations and retired in 1987 as General-Officer-Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command. Hoon is also among the top contenders for his purported links with BJP. Others who are being considered include former IB Chief, Nechal Sandhu and if the BJP decides to go against the norm, the probable choice is likely to be Dr. Karan Singh, who has of late developed closeness with several top BJP leaders. His son Ajatshatru has already joined BJP.
If at all, he is considered, Dr. Karan Singh is likely to be a wild card entry. His elevation as Governor, according to BJP insiders will help the party to consolidate its party position in Jammu region. They said that the appointment of Dr. Karan Singh would give a feeling of pride and honour to the Dogras of Jammu region, who have been complaining of discrimination. They further said that BJP would not mind appointing him if he joins the party formally. "Even if he does not join, there is no harm in considering his name," said a top BJP leader. He accepted that BJP has developed closeness with the family of Dogra Icon Dr. Karan Singh. It needs to be mentioned here that Vohra, who has been state's Governor since 2008, was given extension in April by UPA government as his first term was to end on June 25, 2014. |
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