Jammu, Jul 14: Senior J&K Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Deputy Chief Minister, Kavinder Gupta, on Monday described his appointment as the new Lieutenant Governor of Union Territory of Ladakh as “a role involving greater challenges” yet asserted to “accept it in earnest, with humility and unflinching commitment.”
He stated that given the crucial nature of his new role, he would make all-out efforts to take everyone along.
Former Deputy Chief Minister, who also served as the Speaker of J&K Legislative Assembly and Jammu Mayor, informed that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself apprised him (Kavinder) about the “big decision” two days ago.
He was appointed as LG Ladakh after the President accepted the resignation of the incumbent Lieutenant Governor of the UT (Ladakh), Brigadier (Rtd) B D Mishra.
“There are many layers to every aspect. It was known to all that some Governors (and Lieutenant Governors) had to be changed. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the honourable President and my leadership – the Prime Minister Narendra Modiji; Union Home Minister Amit Shahji that they have found me worthy for the prestigious and responsible post,” beaming Kavinder Gupta stated, in his first reaction to media persons in Jammu, after the official announcement of his appointment.
“They (party leadership) have placed their trust in me, and I have been chosen for this crucial task. There are and there will be challenges (associated with this responsibility). However, I accept them in earnest and hope I will be able to do full justice with the job entrusted to me and will live up to the expectations of my leadership,” he exuded confidence.
About questions about the nature of the new responsibility, Kavinder said, “This is a very big responsibility. It will be fulfilled with unflinching dedication. My effort will be to take everyone along. I’ve visited and explored Ladakh during my tenure as Deputy Chief Minister for a brief period. But now it will be the only focus area, so I will get the opportunity to better understand it and deliver.”
When asked if the new transition to a “neutral role” from “an aggressive politician” would be difficult for him, his reply was, “I’ve worked as the Speaker also – a role which again demanded neutrality. It is not difficult. Yes, I’ve been in active politics for over fifty years. In 1975, I was put in jail for the first time during the Emergency.”
Will he miss his active political role in J&K?
In reply to this question, he said, “I’m a political activist; a dedicated party worker – where the party leadership sends, I will go and fulfil the job entrusted to me with commitment. Ladakh is passing through a crucial phase with some challenges. I’ll go there, study and then perform accordingly. I’ll be directly accountable to people. Therefore, I’ll have to learn first and then deliver.”
Born on December 2, 1959, Kavinder remained associated with RSS since he was 13 years old. He spent 13 months in jail during the emergency.
He served as VHP secretary in Punjab in 1978; worked as BJYM J&K president from 1993 to 1998. From 2005 to 2010, he acted as Mayor of Jammu for three consecutive terms. In 2014, he won from the Gandhinagar assembly segment in 2014 and was made Speaker J&K Legislative Assembly in 2015. In 2018, he was appointed as Deputy Chief Minister. He served as DyCM for two months till the BJP pulled out of its coalition with the PDP.
