Ashok Gajapathi Raju Appointed as Governor of Goa by President Droupadi Murmu
President Droupadi Murmu on Monday, July 14, 2025, appointed Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, former Union Civil Aviation Minister, as the new Governor of Goa.
The announcement came through an official press release from the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
A seasoned politician from Andhra Pradesh and a senior leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Raju will replace P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, who had assumed office in July 2021.
Political Career and Legacy
Ashok Gajapathi Raju is the younger son of Maharaja Pusapati Vijayarama Gajapathi Raju, the last Maharaja of Vizianagaram.
A senior figure in the TDP and a member of its politburo, he has held several key positions both at the state and national levels. Raju served six terms as an MLA from the Vizianagaram Assembly constituency and was first elected as a Janata Party candidate.
He has been associated with the TDP since its inception in 1982 under the leadership of NT Rama Rao.
In 2014, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Vizianagaram and was appointed Union Minister of Civil Aviation. He resigned in 2018 after the TDP withdrew from the NDA government over delays in granting special status to Andhra Pradesh. He lost the seat in the 2019 Lok Sabha election.
TDP and Family Presence in Andhra Politics
Despite not contesting the recent election, Raju’s political influence remains strong. His daughter, Pusapati Aditi Vijayalakshmi Gajapathi Raju, was fielded from the Vizianagaram Assembly segment by the TDP and secured a significant victory.
During his long career, Raju held several cabinet posts in the Andhra Pradesh government, including Finance, Revenue, Legislative Affairs, Commercial Taxes, and Excise, especially under the leadership of Chandrababu Naidu in undivided Andhra Pradesh.
Reactions to the Appointment
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant welcomed the appointment and expressed his enthusiasm to work alongside the new Governor.
He posted on X, “A seasoned statesman with vast administrative and parliamentary experience, his guidance will be invaluable as we continue our journey towards Viksit Goa 2037. We look forward to working closely with Hon’ble Governor Raju Ji to further the development and welfare of every Goan.”
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu also congratulated Raju, stating, “This is a moment of great pride for the people of our state. I sincerely thank the Hon’ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, and the Union Cabinet for bestowing upon him this honour.”
He wished Raju “a successful and fulfilling tenure in this esteemed role.”
Human Resources Development and IT Minister Nara Lokesh echoed similar sentiments, posting, “I am confident that with his integrity, honesty and utmost commitment to public cause, Raju Garu will bring great dignity to the office of the Governor.”
Other Key Appointments
Along with the appointment of Raju, the Rashtrapati Bhavan also announced two other major appointments:
Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh as Governor of Haryana: A senior BJP leader and academic from West Bengal, Ghosh has a background in political science and previously served as state BJP president from 1999 to 2002. He was instrumental in expanding the BJP’s influence in West Bengal and Tripura.
Kavinder Gupta as Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh: Gupta, a BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, brings administrative experience. He previously served as mayor of Jammu for three consecutive terms. He resigned from the deputy CM post in 2018 following the BJP’s exit from the PDP-BJP alliance.
Background on Governor Raju’s National Contributions
As Civil Aviation Minister, Raju played a pivotal role in promoting the UDAN scheme, aimed at regional connectivity.
He initiated airport development projects in cities like Rajamahendravaram and Kadapa and implemented the no-fly list policy for disruptive airline passengers.
His tenure was marked by administrative discipline and a commitment to expanding air travel accessibility across India.
Appointments Take Effect Upon Assumption of Office
According to the Rashtrapati Bhavan statement, all appointments will be effective from the dates the individuals assume charge of their respective posts.
The resignation of Brigadier BD Mishra (Retd) as the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh was also accepted.
These changes mark significant administrative updates in the governance of Goa, Haryana, and Ladakh.
