Bengal governor takes charge of Meghalaya, says won't talk politics

Shillong, Jan 6 (IANS) West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, who Tuesday took additional charge of Meghalaya, said he does not talk politics in Bengal and will not do so in the northeastern state as well.

The 80-year-old Tripathi was appointed after Krishan Kant Paul was transferred to Uttarakhand.

He was administered the oath of office by Meghalaya High Court Chief Justice Uma Nath Singh at a ceremony at Raj Bhavan. He took the oath in Hindi.

Though a seasoned politician, Tripathi made it clear he would not indulge in politics as long he was holding the office of governor.

"In West Bengal, I have clearly said that please don't talk politics to me. As a governor, I am governor of every section of the society whether the ruling party or the opposition," Tripathi told journalists.

"I don't talk politics in West Bengal and will not talk politics here (Meghalaya) also because the governor should be a person who should respect all sections of the society," he said.

Asked if there was a possibility of him being appointed the full-fledged Meghalaya governor, Tripathi said: "I don't know. I will do whatever the government tells me to do."

To a query whether some governors resigned after their transfer to the northeast, he said: "This is such a nice place and everyone should be willing to come here. The natural surroundings and every good thing is here... why should they object to it?"

Tripathi said he would find out from the Meghalaya government on what developmental work was taking place in the state.

"Construction of roads, airports and transport facilities required to be considered at an urgent level," he said.

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, cabinet ministers and other officials were present on the occasion.