Acharya Devvrat to take oath as Maharashtra governor tomorrow

Mumbai: Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat has been assigned the additional responsibility of Maharashtra Governor, following the exit of C P Radhakrishnan, who demitted office after being elected as Vice-President of India.

An official release from the Press Information Bureau stated, “The President of India appointed Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Gujarat, to discharge the functions of the Governor of Maharashtra, in addition to his own duties.”

On Wednesday, Devvrat met Radhakrishnan at the New Maharashtra Bhawan in New Delhi to personally congratulate him on his election as Vice-President.

Appointed as Gujarat Governor on July 22, 2019, the 66-year-old has already completed his five-year term, amid speculation last year about a possible successor. A staunch advocate of natural farming, Devvrat has spearheaded several campaigns not just in Gujarat but also across multiple states.

Previously, he served as Governor of Himachal Pradesh between August 2015 and July 2019. During his tenure, he oversaw large-scale initiatives related to natural farming, cow-rearing and breed improvement, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, social harmony, de-addiction, tree plantation, and water conservation.

As Chancellor of 24 state universities in Gujarat, Devvrat attracted controversy in October 2022 when he accepted the role of Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith, an institution founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920. His appointment triggered debate, as being a “Gandhian” is a prerequisite for the post. Devvrat later clarified that he considers himself a Gandhian.