Is ex-Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar likely to be Punjab's Governor?

After stepping down as the Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar has also resigned from the Legislative Assembly. He took this step after the new government demonstrated its majority in the Assembly. Now, there's speculation that he might be appointed as the Governor of Punjab.

Sources suggest that before the political shift in Haryana, the Central government conducted surveys regarding this matter. Allegedly, Khattar has given his approval to this proposal from the Centre.

Khattar had been elected as an MLA from Karnal for the second time in the Assembly elections 2019, having won previously in 2014. Afterward, he assumed the role of CM, serving for a total of 9 years and 4 months. He officially resigned from the CM post last Monday, on March 12.

There are several reasons, that drive the discussions about the appointment of Manohar Lal Khattar as the Governor of Punjab. Experts speculate that since Khattar couldn't hold the position of Governor while being an MLA, hence, he resigned from the Assembly. 

Governor of Punjab resigns

Moreover, the current Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh, Banwari Lal Purohit, recently submitted his resignation after a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi. Although Purohit's resignation is yet to be accepted, the possibility of Khattar taking over the role is under consideration.

If appointed as the Governor of Punjab, Khattar would assume a new role based in Chandigarh, shifting from the CM House in Haryana. This move would enable the Centre to maintain close oversight of Punjab affairs. However, speculations about him contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Karnal seem unlikely due to his close ties with Sanjay Bhatia, the current MP from Karnal.

A lookback at Manohar Lal Khattar's regime

Manohar Lal Khattar served as the 9th and 10th Chief Minister of Haryana for a total of 9 years and four months. He assumed office for the first time on October 26, 2014, and then for the second time on October 27, 2019.

Khattar hails from Nindana village in Rohtak. The newly appointed Chief Minister of Haryana, Naib Singh Saini, is considered to be close to him. Furthermore, five MLAs who have been given ministerial positions in Saini's cabinet are also reportedly close to Khattar.