Chennai: Nagaland Governor La. Ganesan, a former Rajya Sabha MP, passed away in Chennai on Friday evening at the age of 80. He had been undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospitals for a serious head injury sustained after a fall at his residence in T. Nagar here on August 8.
Despite intensive medical care and surgery, he breathed his last at 6.23 p.m., coinciding poignantly with the nation’s 79th Independence Day.
According to hospital sources, Ganesan was found unconscious at home and rushed to the ICU. Doctors detected internal injuries caused by the fall, and although surgery was performed, his condition remained critical.
Over the past week, his health continued to deteriorate until he succumbed to his injuries.
Born in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, La. Ganesan began his political journey through the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) before joining the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Known for his organisational skills and unwavering loyalty to the party, he rose to become the president of the Tamil Nadu BJP and later represented Madhya Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha.
Over the decades, he was actively involved in strengthening the BJP’s base, especially in southern India, and was respected for his straightforward and disciplined approach.
In August 2021, he was appointed Governor of Manipur, a post he held until February 2023. During this period, he was also entrusted with additional charge as the Governor of West Bengal between July and November 2022.
On February 20, 2023, Ganesan assumed office as the 19th Governor of Nagaland, where he continued to serve until his demise.
Throughout his gubernatorial assignments, Ganesan was seen as a steady Constitutional authority, maintaining cordial ties with state governments while upholding the Centre’s directives.
His tenure in Nagaland was marked by engagement with various stakeholders on developmental issues, and he was appreciated for his approachable demeanour.
News of his passing has drawn condolences from political leaders across the spectrum.
Many remembered him as a leader committed to public service, whose decades-long career combined grassroots activism with constitutional responsibility.
His death marks the end of a long and eventful public life, leaving behind a legacy of discipline, dedication, and service to both party and nation.
(IANS)
