Who Is Rajendra Arlekar, The Governor Under Spotlight In Tamil Nadu’s Hung Verdict Drama?

Last Updated:May 08, 2026, 12:21 IST

His association with the RSS began during childhood, years before he formally joined the BJP. Today, Rajendra Arlekar is overseeing a major political transition in Tamil Nadu.

As Tamil Nadu’s fractured Assembly verdict triggers intense negotiations over government formation, Governor Rajendra Arlekar has emerged as one of the key figures in the state’s unfolding political drama.

Actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerged as the single-largest party in the 2026 Assembly elections with 108 seats, still short of the majority mark of 118 in the 236-member House. While Vijay has already met Arlekar and staked claim to form the government, the Governor has not yet invited him to take oath as chief minister, insisting that the numbers must first be demonstrated.

The development has triggered sharp political reactions across Tamil Nadu, bringing fresh attention to Arlekar — a long-time Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker and senior BJP functionary whose political journey stretches from post-liberation Goa to constitutional office in southern India.

From Portuguese-Era Goa To RSS Shakhas

Born on April 23, 1954, in Panaji, Goa, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar grew up during a politically transitional period. Goa was still emerging from Portuguese rule, which formally ended in 1961.

Arlekar studied at St Joseph’s Institute in Vasco da Gama before pursuing a Commerce degree at MES College. It was during his childhood that he became associated with the RSS, at a time when the organisation had a limited footprint in Goa.

Arlekar would later recall how the RSS operated on a much smaller scale in Goa during his early years with the organisation, with workers travelling long distances to organise local meetings. The emphasis was on building an organisation from the ground up.

That environment would shape much of his political identity.

Emergency Years And Entry Into BJP

A major turning point came during the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi between 1975 and 1977.

Arlekar, then in his early 20s, and his father were jailed for participating in anti-Emergency protests and activities linked to the RSS movement. Like many leaders from the BJP-RSS ecosystem of that generation, the Emergency years became a defining political experience for him.

In 1989, Arlekar formally became an active member of the BJP when the party was still relatively weak in Goa. Congress dominated state politics at the time, while regional outfits such as the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) retained substantial influence.

Arlekar belonged to the generation of Goa BJP leaders that included Manohar Parrikar, Shripad Naik and Laxmikant Parsekar — a group credited with gradually transforming the BJP from a marginal force into a major political player in the state during the 1990s and early 2000s.

Unlike Parrikar, who evolved into a mass leader and administrator, Arlekar largely remained known as an organisation-focused politician. Over the years, he held several important party positions, including Goa BJP general secretary, South Goa BJP president and later state BJP president between 2003 and 2007.

Senior Goa journalist Vithaldas Hegde described Arlekar to NDTV as “soft spoken with sharp political acumen." Hegde also said Arlekar had twice been considered by the BJP for the chief minister’s post and “held great regard for journalists."

Goa Assembly, Paperless Legislature And Ministerial Role

Arlekar entered the Goa Legislative Assembly for the first time in 2002 from the Vasco constituency and remained MLA till 2007. After a political setback, he returned to the Assembly in 2012 from Pernem constituency in North Goa. The same year, he became Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly.

His tenure as Speaker drew attention nationally after Goa became India’s first paperless Assembly in 2015. The transition was not easy, with many legislators initially reluctant to adopt digital systems and tablets.

Arlekar later publicly joked that convincing politicians to give up paper had been harder than introducing technology itself.

By then, he had also emerged as an influential behind-the-scenes figure within the Goa BJP.

In 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought Manohar Parrikar to Delhi as Defence Minister, Arlekar’s name reportedly emerged as a possible contender for the Goa chief minister’s post. However, the BJP leadership eventually chose Laxmikant Parsekar.

Arlekar reacted calmly to the decision and reportedly told party workers: “I am only a karyakarta."

His response strengthened his reputation within the RSS-BJP structure as a disciplined organisational figure who prioritised the party over personal ambition.

In October 2015, he joined the Goa cabinet under Chief Minister Parsekar as Minister for Forest, Environment and Panchayati Raj. He remained minister till 2017.

Shift To Constitutional Roles

After decades in organisational and electoral politics, Arlekar transitioned into gubernatorial roles.

In July 2021, he was appointed Governor of Himachal Pradesh. He later became Governor of Bihar in February 2023.

In January 2025, Arlekar took oath as Governor of Kerala. In March 2026, he was additionally given charge as Governor of Tamil Nadu after the exit of RN Ravi.

The move immediately drew political attention because Tamil Nadu was heading toward a highly competitive and uncertain electoral phase amid the weakening dominance of the traditional Dravidian parties.

He is married to Anagha Arlekar. The couple has two children — daughter Aditi Kulkarni and son Amogh Arlekar.

Why Is Rajendra Arlekar Facing Political Heat In Tamil Nadu?

Arlekar’s decisions are now being closely scrutinised after TVK chief Vijay submitted a formal claim to form the government.

While TVK is the single-largest party with 107 MLAs, it remains short of the majority mark. The Governor is not yet convinced the party has the required support to form the government.

The issue has triggered criticism from multiple opposition leaders in Tamil Nadu, who argue that the single-largest party should first be invited to form the government and prove its strength on the Assembly floor later.

Actor-politician Kamal Haasan accused the Governor of “disrespecting the mandate".

“The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, led by Mr Vijay, has won 108 seats. Not inviting him to form the government would amount to disrespecting the mandate of the people of Tamil Nadu. 233 elected members are still unable to take their oaths. This is an insult to the state; it is damage to democracy," Haasan wrote on X.

VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan also criticised the Governor’s stance, saying Vijay could prove his majority in the Assembly.

DMK leader A Saravanan similarly backed TVK’s claim, arguing that in the absence of a majority pre-poll alliance, the Governor should first invite the single-largest party.

Communist Party of India leader M Veerapandian also stated that “TVK must be given an opportunity by the Governor, in accordance with the Constitution, to prove its majority on the floor of the Assembly."

The BJP, however, has defended the constitutional process. BJP leader Narayanan Thirupathy told PTI: “It’s a fractured verdict, and we all know that TVK did not have a majority, and they have to prove it. If he (Vijay) proves that he has a majority, the Governor will accept it… Whatever is constitutionally applicable will happen."

For now, Arlekar finds himself presiding over one of the most closely watched political transitions in Tamil Nadu in recent years.

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