Vijayawada: The Centre appointed advocate, writer, and senior BJP leader (Odisha) Biswa Bhusan Harichandan, 85, to replace Mr E.S.L. Narasimhan, 73, as Governor of Andhra Pradesh.
“I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving due recognition and respect to Odisha. Mr Modi said to me on Monday, ‘Apko Odisha choddna hoga. Ek do din ke andar badi responsibility dunga (You will have to leave Odisha soon to serve a bigger responsibility)’. I was sure then that a major responsibility was coming my way,” Mr Harichandan said.
Mr Narasimhan was formally appointed in January 2010, and oversaw the bifurcation of the state.
Mr Harichandan was elected five times to the Odisha Assembly — twice on a Janata Dal ticket and thrice on a BJP ticket. In the Biju Patnaik-led Janata Dal government (1990-1995), Mr Harichandan held the food and civil supplies and cooperation portfolio. In the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD-BJP government (2000-2009), he held revenue, rural, law and industries.
Mr Harichandan was detained under MISA during the emergency in 1975. He joined the BJP and held the position of its Odisha president from 1980 to 1988. He joined the Janata Party in 1988 and became its state vice-president but returned to the BJP on April 4, 1996. In an interview with Deccan Chronicle, Mr Harichandan said, “A large and beautiful state, Andhra Pradesh is our neighbour, and the people of both states have strong socio- economic ties. I will do my best to strengthen the relationship further.”
Asked about his role in some contentious issues, including the Polavaram project, Mr Harichandan said he will keep within the constitutional framework.
