19th Governor of Nagaland (born 1945)
La Ganesan Iyer (born 16 February 1945) is an Indian politician who serves as the 19th Governor of Nagaland since 20 February 2023. His previous tenures include as the 17th Governor of Manipur between 27 August 2021 and 19 February 2023, the Governor of West Bengal (Additional Charge) between 18 July 2022 and 17 November 2022. Before that, he was a member of the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh. Ganesan is a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party[2] and a veteran of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
Early life
Ganesan was born on 16 February 1945 to Ilakumirakavan and Alamelu in a Tamil Brahmin family. He grew up with his brother after his father died at a young age. He joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), left his job without getting married, and returned to public life as a full-time activist.[3][4]
Political career
Before being appointed General Secretary of the TN BJP[clarification needed] unit, he was a pracharak in RSS.[5] He escaped the police during the Indira Gandhi government's oppressive Emergency, where many civil and political opponents to the Congress government were detained, and lived in hiding for about a year.[6] He then served as the National Secretary and as the Vice President of BJP.[7] He was selected as the President of BJP's Tamil Nadu state unit.
He is a former Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha and replaced the former union minister Najma Heptulla as a Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh.[8]
Speech about sacrificing Tamil Nadu
Ganesan's comments on protests started by locals against extraction of hydrocarbons at Neduvasal village in Tamil Nadu became controversial when he said, "There is nothing wrong in sacrificing a state for the welfare of the country."[9][10]
Governor of Manipur
On 22 August 2021, he was appointed the 17th Governor of Manipur by President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind.[11] He was sworn in as the 17th Governor of Manipur at the Darbar Hall of Raj Bhavan, Imphal on 27 August 2021. He was administered the oath of office by Honourable Chief Justice of Manipur High Court PV Sanjay Kumar. Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, ministers, and legislators were present in the ceremony. He served in the post until 12 February 2023, after which Anusuiya Uikey was appointed.
Attack on Kirubanidhi
Kirubanidhi, the first Dalit president of the BJP in Tamil Nadu, along with La. Ganesan, went to Indore, Madhya Pradesh, to participate in the BJP national council's meeting in 2003. After the meeting, La. Ganesan started verbally abusing Kirubanidhi by criticizing Kirubanidhi's caste. In an interview, Kirubanidhi said the fight was over the misuse of funds by La. Ganesan that he had pointed out.[12][6]
Additional charge as Governor of West Bengal
On 18 July 2022, Ganesan assumed the office of Governor of West Bengal, after Jagdeep Dhankhar was nominated as vice-presidential candidate by the National Democratic Alliance coalition.[13]
Ganesan received backlash for pushing Indian footballer Sunil Chhetri out of a photo op during the presentation ceremony of 2022 Durand Cup.[14]
Governor of Nagaland
On 20 February 2023, he was appointed the 19th Governor of Nagaland by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu.
References
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