Biswabhusan Harichandan (born 3 August 1934)[1] is an Indian politician serving as the 23rd and current Governor of Andhra Pradesh.
Biswabhusan Harichandan | |
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23rd Governor of Andhra Pradesh | |
Assumed office 24 July 2019 | |
Chief Minister | Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy |
Preceded by | E. S. L. Narasimhan |
Member of Odisha Legislative Assembly | |
In office 1997–2009 | |
Constituency | Bhubaneswar Central |
Member of Odisha Legislative Assembly | |
In office 1990–1995 | |
Constituency | Chilika |
Member of Odisha Legislative Assembly | |
In office 1977–1980 | |
Constituency | Chilika |
Personal details | |
Born | 3 August 1934 |
Citizenship | Indian |
Political party | Bharatiya Janata Party |
Occupation |
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Profession | Chancellor-Sri B. Harichandan at krishna university |
Portfolio | Ministry of Law, Revenue and Fisheries, Government of Odisha (2004–2009) |
Awards | Kalinga Ratna Award, 2021 |
Harichandan joined Bharatiya Jana Sangha in 1971 and became its National Executive Member and its State General Secretary till the formation of Janata Party in 1977.[2] During the era of emergency he was detained under the MISA Act. After the formation of BJP in 1980, he was appointed the President of the state till 1988 before he joined hands with Janata Dal. He went back to BJP in 1996.
Harichandan was elected to the Odisha State Legislative Assembly five times. Beginning from 1977 assembly elections from Chilika assembly as a member of BJP,[3] he came back to power in 1990 with a Janata Dal ticket.[4] Harichandan was elected for the third time, this time from Bhubaneswar Central seat in the by-poll elections of 1997, and continued to be a member from the same constituency three times in a row. He was also a cabinet minister in the BJD-BJP led coalition government in 2004.
In July 2019, he was appointed the 23rd Governor of Andhra Pradesh.[5][6]
On 17 November 2021, Harichandan was diagnosed with COVID-19.[7]
Harichandan was awarded the Kalinga Ratna Award in 2021.[8]
Harichandan has authored several books some of which include Marubataas, Mahasangramar Mahanayak, Buxi Jagabandhu, Paika Mutiny and his autobiography Sangarsha Sarinahin.[9][10]