Himachal: The New Governor Needs to Focus on Relations Between the Raj Bhavan and the Government

Himachal Pradesh: The road ahead for the new Governor, Kavinder Gupta, is unlikely to be easy—particularly given his long-standing association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), his unwavering loyalty to the Central Government, and the fact that Himachal Pradesh is currently governed by the Congress party. He has stepped into the Raj Bhavan at a time when relations between the Governor’s office and the state government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu are visibly strained. Gupta has inherited an atmosphere of mistrust that festered during the tenure of his predecessor, Shiv Pratap Shukla; the latter’s confrontational stance toward the government had placed him within that growing cohort of Governors in opposition-ruled states who remain embroiled in political controversies.

This broader pattern was also clearly evident in the recent reshuffle of Governors. In several opposition-ruled states, open conflicts were unfolding between the Governor and the Chief Minister, thereby reinforcing the perception that Raj Bhavans are increasingly becoming political battlegrounds rather than impartial constitutional institutions. Gupta’s initial remarks upon assuming office offered some relief to observers. He emphasized that the Governor holds a constitutional office that is not affiliated with any political party. He also underscored the necessity of fostering coordination with the elected government. The primary expectation of the new Governor is that he will restore trust between the Raj Bhavan and the elected government, ensuring that his constitutional office serves as a bridge rather than a battleground for conflict with the administration.

During the tenure of the previous Governor, the most contentious issue revolved around the appointment of Vice-Chancellors to key universities. This dispute intensified in 2025 when advertisements were issued for the appointment of Vice-Chancellors at the Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (located at Nauni in Solan district) and the CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University (located at Palampur)—positions that had remained vacant for a considerable period. Intervening in this matter, the State Cabinet argued that the Chancellor must act solely in accordance with the government’s recommendations, as stipulated by the relevant state legislation. The Governor rejected this interpretation, maintaining that the Chancellor’s statutory powers are independent of the advice tendered by the Council of Ministers.
Political Signaling, Institutional Friction
A second expectation is that the new Governor will steer clear of symbolic confrontations and maintain a consistent dialogue at the institutional level, thereby ensuring that political signaling does not overshadow the actual process of governance and administration. During the Budget Session in February 2025, the former Governor omitted certain sections from the address prepared by the Himachal government. These omitted sections contained criticism of the Central Government’s decision to discontinue the ‘Revenue Deficit Grant’—a move the State Government claimed would result in an annual loss of approximately ₹10,000 crore. This incident sparked a controversy and further reinforced the perception of institutional friction. Similarly, in December 2024, the former Governor opted not to attend an event organized in Shimla to honor B.R. Ambedkar. He took this decision due to protocol-related differences with the State Government, a move that further strained the relationship between the two entities.
Several measures passed by the State Legislative Assembly—including resolutions concerning ‘Nautor land rights’ for tribal communities, the ‘Sukh-Ashray Awas Yojana’ (Housing Scheme), anti-corruption initiatives, and regulations governing contractual recruitment—remained pending for extended periods, drawing criticism from the government. The former Governor’s public remarks also gave rise to controversies. In July 2025, his warning that unchecked drug abuse could transform Himachal into a “Flying Punjab” drew sharp criticism from the state leadership. Similarly, his observation that the state suffered from a lack of a proper ‘work culture’ elicited a scathing response from Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, who termed it an insult to the people of Himachal Pradesh.