Sheila Dikshit’s tenure as Governor of Kerala lasted barely six months, but it was marked by firmness in action and an attempt to get a close view of Kerala’s cultural heritage.
Among her most significant actions was the decision to ask former Mahatma Gandhi University Vice Chancellor A.V. George to demit office, the first Vice Chancellor in the State’s history asked to go before completion of tenure. Given the fact that the allegations against Mr. George was hanging fire for long and that her predecessor had refused to take any decision despite the government submitting a report endorsing the charges against the Vice Chancellor, her action marked firmness and a no-nonsense approach.
There was clear lightness about the way Ms. Dikshit carried her office, using her spare time to enjoy Kerala’s cultural heritage and making herself available to organisations and individuals working for the disadvantaged and for the promotion of the arts. On many an evening, she was present at dance and music performances. She even hosted a flute recital at the Raj Bhavan right when rumours about her ouster first erupted.
The first sign that she was about to demit office came on Sunday when she suddenly cancelled a function she was to attend at the local centre of the Brahmakumaris here and rushed to Delhi in the morning. Although she is expected to be back in the State on Wednesday, that looks a remote possibility now that she has tendered her resignation.
