Outgoing Goa Governor Pillai to Resume Legal Practice

Outgoing Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai plans to return to his roots as a lawyer in Kerala after completing his tenure, he revealed in an exclusive interview with PTI. The 70-year-old, who served as Goa’s governor since 2021, expressed his eagerness to don his “black coat and gown” once again, dismissing concerns about transitioning from a high-protocol role to the courtroom.

“There’s no ego in it,” Pillai said, addressing the notion that a former governor arguing in court might seem unconventional. “The court is a temple of justice, and the judge on the chair deserves respect. Calling them ‘Your Honour’ is no issue.” He noted that, protocol-wise, a governor ranks higher than the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in the Table of Precedence, but emphasized there’s no legal bar preventing him from resuming his legal practice, as he has maintained his lawyer’s enrollment.

Before his gubernatorial roles in Mizoram (2019) and Goa, Pillai was a seasoned lawyer and two-time chief of Kerala’s BJP unit. Reflecting on his four-year stint in Goa, he highlighted his “gramin yatra,” a journey across all talukas to connect with locals, though he consciously avoided visiting Goa’s famous beaches. “With seven or eight vehicles and protocol, it would inconvenience tourists,” he explained, underscoring his preference for minimal pomp during his tenure.

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Pillai’s approach to governance was defined by diplomacy and dialogue. “Handling tough issues with a smile was my slogan,” he said. When faced with dissent from opposition parties, he would invite the chief minister for tea the next day to discuss grievances, fostering resolution through conversation. “Convincing others was key, even for tough decisions,” he added.

On Monday, veteran TDP leader and former Union minister Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju was appointed as Goa’s new governor, succeeding Pillai. As he prepares to return to Kerala, Pillai remains committed to his legal calling, ready to trade the governor’s mansion for the courtroom.

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