Thiruvananthapuram: Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is all set to be sworn in as the 23rd Governor of Kerala today, with a formal ceremony at Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram. The oath will be administered by Kerala High Court Chief Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar at 10:30 AM. Arlekar and his wife, Anagha Arlekar, arrived in the state capital on Wednesday evening, where they were warmly welcomed by Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and several prominent dignitaries, including Ministers K. Rajan, V. Sivankutty, K.N. Balagopal, Speaker A.N. Shamseer, and MPs Shashi Tharoor and A.A. Rahim.
Following the swearing-in, Kerala’s legislative assembly will resume its sessions on January 17 with a policy address from the newly appointed Governor. The assembly will follow a three-phase schedule for 2025: Phase 1 from January 17–23, Phase 2 from February 7–13, which will include the presentation of the state budget, and Phase 3 from March 3–31 for budget discussions and final approval. The Kerala government intends to ensure that the full budget is passed before the fiscal year’s end on March 31.
This transition marks an important moment for Kerala, as Rajendra Arlekar takes charge amidst significant legislative activities. With the Governor’s policy address and the upcoming budget discussions, the state is poised for a crucial period in its political and economic landscape. The government’s focus on completing the budget before the fiscal year’s end highlights its commitment to stability and progress, setting the stage for impactful decisions in the coming months.
