Keshari Nath Tripathi sworn in as new Bihar Governor

PATNA: Veteran BJP leader and West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi was today sworn in as the Governor of Bihar.

Tripathi was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice of Patna High Court Rekha M Doshit at Raj Bhawan here.

The West Bengal Governor, who will hold additional charge of Bihar, replaced Dr D Y Patil whose tenure ended yesterday.

Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, Assembly Speaker Uday Narayan Chaudhary, Leaders of opposition in Assembly and Legislative Council Nand Kishore Yadav and Sushil Kumar Modi respectively, and several ministers and senior officials attended the oath taking programme.

Tripathi (80), a Constitutional expert is born at Allahabad and practised law in Allahabad High Court from 1956 till 2014 barring the time when he was Speaker of Uttar Pradesh three times -- in 1991, 1997 and 2002.

Later talking to reporters, the new Governor said he would work for welfare of the people.

"I will give advise and guide the government where ever required," he said.

Asked how he would divide time to look after both Bihar and West Bengal as a Governor, he said "It will not be a problem."

Tripathi praised Bihar's rich tradition in education particularly medical education and said he would try to promote them further.