Thiru Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar

Thiru Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar (born 23 April 1954) is a prominent Indian politician currently serving as the 23rd Governor of Kerala (since January 2025) and holding additional charge as the Governor of Tamil Nadu as of March 12, 2026. A veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Goa, he previously served as Governor of Bihar and Himachal Pradesh.Current Roles & Key Actions (2026):Governor of Tamil Nadu (Additional Charge): Assumed office on 12 March 2026.Governor of Kerala: Sworn in as the 23rd Governor on 2 January 2025.2026 Tamil Nadu Government Formation: In May 2026, Governor Arlekar was involved in the transition of power in Tamil Nadu, reviewing the majority support for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party led by C. Joseph Vijay.Political & Career Background:Early Life & RSS: Born in Panaji, Goa, to Vishwanath and Tilomattama Arlekar, he has long-standing ties to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).Emergency Imprisonment: Imprisoned along with his father during the 1975–1977 Emergency for defending democracy.Goa Legislative Assembly: Elected twice to the Goa Legislative Assembly, serving as the Speaker (2012–2015) and a Cabinet Minister (2015–2017).State Leadership: Served as the President of the Goa BJP for four years.Previous Governorships:Governor of Bihar: 17 February 2023 – 1 January 2025.Governor of Himachal Pradesh: 13 July 2021 – 16 February 2023.Known for his administrative experience, Arlekar is the first Goa native to serve as a governor in multiple states