Ram Naik to be sworn-in as Uttar Pradesh Governor on July 22

LUCKNOW: Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Ram Naik will be sworn-in as the new governor of Uttar Pradesh in the Raj Bhawan here on July 22.

Naik would be administered the oath of office in the Raj Bhawan by chief justice of Allahabad High Court, DY Chandrachud on July 22 evening, Raj Bhawan sources said today.

Veteran BJP leader Ram Naik succeeds BL Joshi, who resigned last month.

Joshi, perceived to be a close confidant of Gandhi family, was the first Governor who tendered his resignation on June 17 after the Narendra Modi government came to power.

A three-time Parliamentarian, 80-year-old Naik has the rare distinction of being the only minister who completed five years as Petroleum and Natural gas minister in one government.

Hit by cancer, Naik was bedridden in 1994 but fought back resolutely and overcame the deadly disease. He had announced in 2013 that he would not be contesting the 2014 elections.

Naik would be the 27th governor of the state, sources added.