Aizawl/Kohima, Dec 2 (NationPress) According to recent communications from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Raj Bhavans in Mizoram and Nagaland have officially been renamed to ‘Lok Bhavan’ as of Tuesday, as confirmed by officials.

The Raj Bhavans in Assam and Tripura also underwent this transformation on Monday. The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Lt. General K.T. Parnaik (Retd.), is currently out of the state, and the change for Arunachal Raj Bhavan will occur upon his return, as stated by an official.

On the other hand, the Raj Bhavans in the rest of the Northeastern states have yet to implement this new designation for the official residences of their Governors. An official announcement from Aizawl mentioned that the official residence of the Governor of Mizoram, previously known as Raj Bhavan, is now to be referred to as ‘Lok Bhavan, Mizoram’, effective immediately.

“A notification issued today by the Governor’s Secretariat in Aizawl indicates that this change aligns with a communication received from the Ministry of Home Affairs on November 25, along with directives from the Hon’ble Governor of Mizoram. The notification specifies that the institution formerly known as Raj Bhavan, Mizoram will now officially be referred to as ‘Lok Bhavan, Mizoram’,” the statement elaborated.

Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu previously remarked that the decision to rename Raj Bhavan to ‘Lok Bhavan’ was taken in honor of democracy.

“The term Raj Bhavan implied a connection to a royal lineage or monarchy. In a democratic framework where governments are elected, it is fitting to transition to Lok Bhavan,” the Governor explained to the media.

The official indicated that from now on, all references to the Raj Bhavan in Tripura's capital, Agartala, will be updated to Lok Bhavan.

“All official documentation and communications associated with the Governor’s residence will also use ‘Lok Bhavan’ instead of ‘Raj Bhavan’,” the official added, noting that nameplates, signage, the website, and social media will be similarly updated.

The historic Pushpabanta Palace (or Pushpavanta), also called Kunjaban Palace, which functioned as the Raj Bhavan until 2018, was constructed in 1917 by the late king of Tripura, Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya Debbarma Bahadur.

In 2018, the Governor’s residence was relocated to the outskirts of the city in the Capital Complex. This year, the Tripura government sanctioned a lease agreement with a private entity to transform the 108-year-old Pushpabanta Palace into a luxurious five-star hotel.

Various organizations, including affiliated groups of the ruling BJP’s ally Tipra Motha Party, have organized protests against the Tripura government's plan to privatize the iconic Pushpabanta Palace and convert it into a five-star accommodation by a private company.