Meet Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Who Replaces Arif Mohammed Khan as Governor in Kerala

Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was sworn in as the 23rd Governor of Kerala on January 2, 2025, succeeding Arif Mohammed Khan. His appointment comes amid heightened political interest in the state.

Meet Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Who Replaces Arif Mohammed Khan as Governor in Kerala

Source : X/@rajendraarlekar

Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was sworn in as the 23rd Governor of Kerala today, taking over the position from Arif Mohammed Khan. The ceremony took place at Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram, where Mr. Arlekar, clad in traditional Kerala attire, took the oath of office "in the name of god." 

Mr. Arlekar is married to Anagha Arlekar, and the couple has two children. Mr. Arlekar’s entry into the gubernatorial position in Kerala comes at a time when the state's political dynamics are under the spotlight.

The appointment of Mr. Arlekar is being closely watched, especially given the turbulent relationship his predecessor, Arif Mohammed Khan, had with the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government in Kerala. As Kerala’s new Governor, Mr. Arlekar assumes office at a time of heightened political sensitivity in the state, where the relationship between the Raj Bhavan and the Left government has often been fraught with tensions.

Association With the RSS

Mr. Arlekar, 70, hails from Goa and is a seasoned political figure with a long-standing association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). A commerce graduate, he has served in various capacities, including as a minister and Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly. He was elected to the State Assembly twice and served as Speaker from 2012 to 2015. Between 2015 and 2017, Mr. Arlekar also held the portfolio of Minister for Forest and Environment and Panchayats in the Goa government.

Prior to his appointment as Governor of Kerala, Mr. Arlekar served as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh, a post he assumed in July 2021. He was later appointed Governor of Bihar in February 2023. His leadership in these roles has been noted for its adherence to the policies of the BJP, a party with which he has had a long association, having held senior positions in its state unit.