The elevation of Gulab Chand Kataria, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, as Governor of Assam effectively retires him from active politics in the state and his sphere of influence, the Mewar-Wagad region of south Rajasthan. Shri Kataria, 78 years old, is an active politician deeply rooted in the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He has always been a contender for the post of Chief Minister in Rajasthan, and served as Home Minister in the BJP-led governments in the state.