Kiran Bedi appointed Puducherry Lt Governor

Bedi holds the distinction of being the country’s first female IPS officer.

President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday appointed former IPS officer and BJP leader Kiran Bedi as the Lt Governor of Puducherry.

Bedi, who holds distinction of being the country’s first female IPS officer, had last year contested for the position of Delhi chief minister on a BJP ticket, but was unsuccessful, and lost to Arvind Kejriwal, her one time friend and political comrade from her AAP days.

A Rashtrapati Bhawan communique said "the President has been pleased to appoint Ms Kiran Bedi, to be the Lt. Governor of Puducherry with effect from the date she assumes charges of her office."

Speaking to the media, she said “I long to go to Puducherry, it was a part of my IPS cadre. I have seen a Lt Governor function. I have seen the potential, the capacity, and the power of the position. It is going to be an interesting experience to be on the other side of the table. It is a vital position for any citizen.”

Speaking further on the responsibility of her position, she said, “LG office is there to see systems are put in place and deliver and see that people who deliver get the due credit for delivery.”

"I look forward to giving every bit of myself to the responsibility. I am there for the benefit of the country. I am here to give my best every day, each day. I am grateful for the government's decision. They trusted me," said the 66-year-old.

Puducherry, which recently went to polls, will see the new Congress-DMK alliance taking over soon.

The LG post in the Union territory had been lying vacant after the Narendra Modi Government had sacked UPA nominee Virendra Kataria on July 12 barely a year after he had been appointed. Lt Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Island Lt Gen Ajay Singh had been given additional charge of Puducherry.

Born on June 9, 1949, Bedi had led the BJP campaign in the 2015 Delhi Assembly elections but had to face the worst defeat in her maiden political innings with Arvind Kejriwal- led AAP winning 67 of the 70 seats.

An IPS officer of 1972 batch, Bedi had sought voluntary retirement from the service in 2007. She was then posted as Director General, Bureau of Police Research and Development.

A sports lover and an author, Bedi is a recipient of Ramon Magsaysay Award as well as UN Medal for outstanding service. She was one of the pioneers of anti-corruption crusade in 2011 along with Anna Hazare and Kejriwal against the then UPA government.

She also earned a law degree at Delhi University in 1988 and a PhD from IIT Delhi's Department of Social Sciences in 1993.

(This story originally appeared in the Deccan Chronicle as may the case be)