President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday appointed Sheila Dikshit, former Delhi Chief Minister, as Kerala Governor. He also approved a second term for Uttar Pradesh Governor B.L. Joshi.

Mr. Mukherjee accepted the resignation of Kerala Governor Nikhil Kumar, who had put in his papers to contest the Lok Sabha polls.

Karnataka Governor H.R. Bhardwaj has been asked to hold additional charge of Kerala until Ms. Dikshit assumes office there.