Shillong, May 20 (IANS): Veteran BJP leader and RSS ideologue V. Shanmuganathan took oath as Meghalaya governor on Wednesday and said he wished to be friendly with everyone and would work for the development of the mountainous state.

The 66-year-old replaced West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi who held additional charge of Meghalaya after Krishan Kant Paul was transferred to Uttarakhand.

"As governor, I will work for the development of the state. I want to be with everyone and to be near to the heart of the people," Shanmuganathan told reporters.

"I love people and I want to be friendly with everyone. People say Meghalaya is a beautiful state. I want to see the beauty and greatness of Meghalaya," the newly-appointed governor added.

Shanmuganathan, who has been in-charge of several BJP cells, was administered the oath of office by Meghalaya High Court Chief Justice Uma Nath Singh at a ceremony at Raj Bhavan.

Asked how he felt on being appointed as governor in a Congress-ruled state, Shanmuganathan said: "The governor is common to every citizen. He does not belong to any political party. The governor is a constitutional post and he is common to everyone."

Moreover, Shanmuganathan, who was earlier in charge of the Defence, Research and Documentation cell and the Overseas Friends of BJP cell, said the governor also had a major role to play in the interest of the development of the state.

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, cabinet ministers and other officials were present on the occasion.