Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla gets additional charge of Nagaland after La. Ganesan passes away

Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Governor of Manipur, has been given the additional charge of Nagaland after state governor La. Ganesan passed away on Friday at the age of 80.

“Consequent upon the demise of Shri La Ganesan, Governor of Nagaland, the President of India has appointed Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Governor of Manipur, to discharge the functions of the Governor of Nagaland, in addition to his own duties,” an official communique issued from the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday said.

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Nagaland Governor La. Ganesan had been undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai for a serious head injury sustained after a fall at his residence 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 an 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.

Meanwhile, the Nagaland government has declared seven days of state mourning from Saturday as a mark of respect to state Governor La Ganesan.

A senior official quoting a notification of Chief Secretary, Sentiyanger Imchen, said that as a mark of respect to the departed La Ganesan, the Nagaland government has declared seven days of state mourning from August 16 to 22.

During this period, the National Flag would be flown at half-mast on all buildings where it is regularly flown.