The focus in recent gubernatorial appointments has inevitably been on M. K. Narayanan’s move to Kolkata. But smart observers point out that this is not the only “controversial” appointment of governors. The announcement of former defence secretary and deputy national security advisor Shekhar Dutt as governor of Chattisgarh continues to raise eyebrows in certain quarters. Apparently, in naming Dutt the government has flouted a long-held convention of not appointing governors who hail from the state or have otherwise served the state as bureaucrats.

The rationale is self-explanatory, since a governor is an “objective” figure and meant to rise above the tug-and-pull of local politics. Dutt, however, it is being pointed out, is an IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre (when Chattisgarh was still part of the state) and has close connections in the state he is going to head. But those who deny any snafus or any hidden hand of power thanks to his family connections, insist that it is this very familiarity with Chattisgarh that may prove useful in his new role. What may have swung opinion in favour of Dutt and allowed ducking the convention could also perhaps be his long experience in security matters, which will definitely be useful in the Naxal-hit state. But how and why this cherry was picked still is a matter that needs sorting out.