Meghalaya governor Tathagata Roy, who is known for shooting his mouth and getting into controversies, will go on leave from the Raj Bhavan here while his Nagaland counterpart R.N. Ravi has been appointed to take additional charge of the hill state.
Roy’s absence from the gubernatorial office was confirmed by the President, who, through a notification, gave Ravi the additional charge of Meghalaya.
Ravi will take oath as the Meghalaya governor at the Raj Bhavan at noon on Tuesday.
“The President is pleased to appoint R.N. Ravi, governor of Nagaland, to discharge the functions of the governor of Meghalaya, in addition to his own duties, during the absence on leave of Tathagata Roy, governor of Meghalaya,” a communique stated on Monday.
Sources said Roy has taken leave on “medical grounds”. But the timing is suspect following his controversial statements on the current protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.
The governor, who is an avid Twitter user, had faced criticism for posting a controversial tweet recently.
As the opposition to the amended citizenship act was gaining storm, Roy had tweetedon December 13 : “Two things should never be lost sight of in the present atmosphere of controversy. 1. The country was once divided in the name of religion. 2. A democracy is NECESSARILY DIVISIVE. If you don’t want it go to North Korea.”
This tweet of his had evoked sharp criticism and demands for his recall or resignation became stronger.
Prior to that, he had also said that opposition to the proposed amendment to the Citizenship Act, 1955, was the “height of absurdity” and stated that the bill would “right the wrong”.
The governor has also been at the receiving end for his delay in signing the ordinance amending the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016.
Both the government and the civil society groups have been asking him to give his assent to the ordinance.
Roy was also at loggerheads with the government when he refused to give his consent to a cabinet decision to promulgate administrator’s rule in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council.
After news about his taking leave had spread on Monday morning, many wondered where he had gone.
In one of his tweets following the presidential notification, the governor said, “Some concerned people are hearing wild rumours. This is just to reassure them that I am coming back here.”