Former Rajya Sabha MP Ram Nath Kovind has been appointed the new Governor of Bihar
Senior BJP leader Ram Nath Kovind and educationist Acharya Dev Vrat were today appointed as Governors of poll-bound Bihar and Himachal Pradesh, respectively.
The 69-year-old Kovind, who had been a two-time Rajya Sabha member between 1994 and 2006, hails from Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh.
His appointment comes barely a few months ahead of the Assembly elections due in Bihar. West Bengal Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi was holding additional charge of Bihar.
A lawyer by profession, Mr Kovind had also been BJP's Scheduled Caste Morcha chief.
Whereas, Mr Vrat imparts modern and traditional education through a 'gurukul' in Haryana's Kurukshetra. The institution is run by Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, Rohtak, Haryana without any financial aid from the government, its website says.
56-year-old Vrat has been working as Principal in the Gurukul since 1981. His specialisation listed by the website are good communication skill and convincing power, especially with regards to Vedic culture and its ideology.
He has been a recipient of American Medal of Honor awarded by American Biographical Institute towards selfless dedication in the field of social service, the website says.
"The President has been pleased to appoint Ram Nath Kovind as the Governor of Bihar and Acharya Dev Vrat as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh," a press release issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan said.
The appointments will take effect from the dates the incumbents assume charge of their respective offices, it said.
Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh was holding the additional charge of Himachal Pradesh.