Ramesh Bais was appointed as new Governor of Jharkhand on Tuesday. Bais, who is currently the Governor of Tripura — the State presently ruled by BJP — will succeed Droupadi Murmu.
Bais is among seven others Governor whom President Ram Nath Kovind appointed in different States. Bais, will be the tenth Governor of Jharkhand, which is presently ruled by JMM/Congress combine. Bais, a native of Chhattisgarh, has been a Lok Sabha member of Raipur and is known for creating a record of becoming an MP from the State for seven straight terms.
Born on August 2, 1947, Bais has been the Governor of the Northeastern State since 2019 and was also part of the Union Cabinet.
He was the Minister of State for environment and forests in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led Government.
At the Centre, he has held the responsibility of Ministries like Chemical and Fertilizers, Information and Broadcasting, Mines among others. Bais, an active member of BJP, started his political career as a councillor of Raipur Municipal Corporation. Later, he was elected a member of Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 1980. He also got a chance to hold important posts like State Vice-President, General Secretary of Madhya Pradesh BJP. He also discharged his responsibilities by joining several committees in Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly and Lok Sabha.
Ramesh Bais’ interest is in sports, farming and horticulture. He has been the President of Chhattisgarh Archery Olympic Association. He has also been the President of Madhya Pradesh Seeds and Farm Development Corporation in the year 1992.
Outgoing Governor Droupadi Murmu has a credit of not only being the first Governor from tribal community, but also for being the first woman governor of Jharkhand since the creation of State in 2000.
Murmu is native of Odisha and was appointed the Governor of Jharkhand in May 2015. Her tenure as Governor completed in May 2020, but she was given extension. Murmu, represented the Odisha legislative assembly as an MLA from Rairangpur.
The two-time member of the Odisha Assembly, she went on to become the vice-president of BJP’s Odisha ST Morcha and later became its president. In 2013, Murmu became the national executive member of the party's ST Morcha. She has played an active role in the upliftment of the tribal community in Odisha during her political career. She was also reported to be the probable face of the 2017 presidential election.
The appointment of Bais as new Governor has evoked mixed reactions in State. BJP’s Khunti MP and Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda said, “I congratulate honorable Ramesh Bais on his appointment as Governor of Jharkhand. He has an illustrious experience in politics and parliamentary affairs and his wisdom will help in overall development of the State.”
However, State Health Minister and Congress MLA from Jamshedpur West Banna Gupta, questioned the logic and timing of replacing incumbent Droupadi Murmu. He also accused the Centre of being anti-tribal and anti-women. “Droupadi Murmu, a tribal lady, was a well-spoken and sensitive Governor. Her removal by the Centre exposes its mindset towards tribals and women. It was an honour for Jharkhand to have a lady tribal as the Governor.”