President Ram Nath Kovind appoints La Ganesan as Governor of Manipur
President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday appointed BJP leader La Ganesan as the Governor of Manipur. Ganesan who was previously a Rajya Sabha member, has served BJP in several capacities. The development comes two days after Former Governor Najma Heptulla retired from the position on August 20.
La Ganesan expressed happiness over recognition of his services by the party. "I feel very elated because my services have been recognised. I am prepared to work in any place in India. BJP has given me an opportunity to work in Madhya Pradesh before and now in the northeast," he stated. "Emotionally, I feel that entire Bharat is one. Now by experience, I will feel that the entire Bharat is one," he added.
On being asked about the current issues in Manipur, Ganesan said that he has not taken the charge as the Governor yet and will only understand the core issues of the state once he takes the charge. "I am not alone. There is a whole party with me. Together we will be successful in our duties," he added.
Interestingly, Ganesan had also replaced Heptulla as Rajya Sabha MP from Madhya Pradesh. Before being appointed as the General Secretary of Tamil Nadu BJP unit, he was a Pracharak in RSS.
The development comes more than a week after Sikkim Governor Ganga Prasad Chaurasia took additional charge as Governor of Manipur, due to Heptulla absence citing health concerns.
Dr Najma A Heptulla was sworn in as the governor of Manipur in August 2016.
Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister M K Stalin on Sunday greeted La Ganesan on his appointment as Governor of Manipur. Stalin pointed out that the senior BJP leader from the state had a long political experience.
Purohit said he was delighted to know that Ganesan has been appointed as Governor of Manipur.
In a tweet, Stalin, also the DMK President, addressed Ganesan as an elder brother and recalled the BJP leader's affectionate ties with his late father and former chief minister M Karunanidhi. "Greetings to elder brother La Ganesan, who has a long political experience," Stalin said in the tweet.
"I congratulate Thiru La. Ganesan and extend my best wishes for glorious service to the people of Manipur. I wish him peaceful and successful tenure in Manipur," he said in a Raj Bhavan statement.
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