Patna (Bihar) [India], January 2 (HBTV): Arif Mohammad Khan, newly appointed as the governor of Bihar, will take oath at the Raj Bhavan on Thursday.

Before assuming office, Khan paid floral tributes to former President Dr. Rajendra Prasad in Patna.

‘Today, I'll take the oath. These are the people—whose blessings are needed,’ Khan told ANI.

Arif Mohammad Khan succeeds Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who has been appointed as the governor of Kerala.

In December, the President’s Secretariat announced the acceptance of Raghubar Das’ resignation as the governor of Odisha. The statement also outlined several new gubernatorial appointments:

• Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, governor of Mizoram, was appointed as the governor of Odisha.
• General (Dr.) Vijay Kumar Singh was appointed as the governor of Mizoram.
• Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, governor of Bihar, was appointed as the governor of Kerala.
• Arif Mohammad Khan, governor of Kerala, was appointed as the governor of Bihar.
• Ajay Kumar Bhalla was appointed as the governor of Manipur.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met the outgoing governor, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, and Arif Mohammad Khan at the Raj Bhavan on December 31 in what was described as a courtesy meeting.

Following the announcement of Khan’s appointment, Union Minister of State Nityanand Rai praised him, saying, ‘The post of Governor is a very respected post, and Arif Sahab is highly educated. He cares about the poor, backward, and deprived. He respects the Constitution. Bihar has got a very good Governor. The previous Governor was also very good.’

The above appointments will take effect from the dates the respective appointees assume charge of their offices, as stated in the official release.

(ANI)