La Ganesan, the esteemed Governor of Nagaland and a prominent BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, passed away at the age of 80 on Friday night while undergoing treatment in the ICU of a private hospital in Chennai. The Nagaland government has declared a seven-day state mourning starting Saturday, during which the National Flag will be flown at half-mast and official entertainment by state departments will be suspended.

Ganesan, who served as the 21st Governor of Nagaland since February 20, 2023, had a distinguished career, having also held gubernatorial positions in Manipur and West Bengal between 2021 and 2025. A dedicated RSS pracharak-turned-BJP karyakarta, he played a pivotal role in strengthening the BJP’s presence in Tamil Nadu, serving as the state unit president and briefly as a Rajya Sabha MP from Madhya Pradesh. Known for his humility and political civility, Ganesan earned respect across party lines, notably for his admiration of late DMK leader M. Karunanidhi.

The governor had traveled to his hometown of Chennai in late July but collapsed at his residence on August 8, sustaining a head injury. He was rushed to a hospital and admitted to the ICU, where he succumbed to his condition on Friday night. President Droupadi Murmu expressed her grief, stating, “His contribution to the development of Tamil Nadu and the country will be remembered.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as a “devout nationalist” passionate about Tamil culture, extending condolences to his family and admirers.

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Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio mourned Ganesan as a leader of “integrity, principle, and great wisdom,” noting his dedication to fostering unity and development in the state. Deputy Chief Ministers T.R. Zeliang and Y. Patton echoed similar sentiments, highlighting his selfless service and commitment to public welfare.

Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu (M.K. Stalin), Assam (Himanta Biswa Sarma), Sikkim (Prem Singh Tamang), and Tripura (Manik Saha), along with Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, also paid heartfelt tributes, emphasizing Ganesan’s legacy of public service and humility.

A passionate advocate for Tamil literature, Ganesan founded Pottramarai, an association to nurture Tamil scholars. His death marks a significant loss to both Nagaland and the nation, leaving behind a legacy of service, unity, and cultural pride.

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