Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju officially took charge as the Governor of Goa on Saturday after being sworn in at a ceremony held in the Bangla Darbar Hall of Raj Bhavan. The oath of office was administered at 11.30 am by Justice Alok Aradhe, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, his cabinet colleagues, Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, Andhra Pradesh ministers Nara Lokesh, Sandhya Rani and Kondapalli Srinivas, along with Members of Parliament from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant extended heartiest congratulations to Shri Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju ji on being sworn in.
“The Governor’s vast experience in public life and deep commitment to democratic values will immensely benefit the people of Goa,” CM said, adding that he looks forward to working closely with the Governor in strengthening the vision of development, welfare, and good governance in the state. CM Sawant also wished him a successful and fulfilling tenure.
Welcoming the new Governor, CM Sawant further stated, “A seasoned statesman with vast administrative and parliamentary experience, his guidance will be invaluable as we continue our journey towards Viksit Goa 2037.”
Governor Raju, in his brief address, said he was happy to be in Goa and looked forward to working with all stakeholders. “I don’t know the local language, but this is my first assignment here. I bring vast political experience,” he said.
Raju, the younger son of the last Maharaja of Vizianagaram, Maharaja Pusapati Vijayarama Gajapathi Raju, has held several public offices in the past.
He served as an MLA in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly and held key Cabinet portfolios such as Excise, Commercial Taxes, Finance, Revenue, and Legislative Affairs. He was also elected to the Lok Sabha and served as a Union Minister.
He replaces P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, who had been serving as the Governor of Goa since July 2021.
