New Delhi, July 8
President Pratibha Patil today appointed senior Congress leader Prabha Rau as the new Governor of Himachal Pradesh. The 73-year-old Rau, who has been president of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) will replace Justice V. S. Kokje.
Meanwhile, former Punjab cadre IPS officer Gurbachan Jagat was appointed as Governor of Manipur replacing S. S. Sidhu, who has been shifted to Goa replacing S. C. Jamir. The latter was the Governor of Goa and Maharastra. He will continue to be the Governor of Maharashtra.
The new Himachal Pradesh Governor Rau has been in active politics for more than three decades. About four years ago she was handpicked to head the Congress in Maharashtra. In the past she and Congress Chief Minister Vilas Rao Deshmukh have been at loggerheads and it was long speculated that one of them would be removed.
She hails from Wardha district. An athlete during her student days, she had represented Nagpur University and the state in long jump, high jump, hurdles and discus throw.
