Biswabhusan Harichandan

Biswabhusan Harichandan (born 3 August 1934) is an Indian politician serving as the 8th and current Governor of Chhattisgarh. He was former Governor of Andhra Pradesh from 2019 to early 2023.

From 2004 to 2009, he was Minister of Law, Revenue and Fisheries, Government of Odisha.

Life and career

Harichandan joined Bharatiya Jana Sangha in 1971 and became its National Executive Member and its State General Secretary until the formation of Janata Party in 1977. 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 until 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 the 1977 assembly elections from Chilika assembly as a member of BJP, he came back to power in 1990 with a Janata Dal ticket. 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, where he was the Minister of Law, Revenue and Fisheries.

In July 2019, he was appointed the 23rd Governor of Andhra Pradesh.

Harichandan was sworn in as the 7th Governor of Chhattisgarh on 23 February 2023.

Personal life

On 17 November 2021, Harichandan was diagnosed with COVID-19. In June 2024, his son Prithviraj Harichandan became the Minister of Law, Works, Excise in the Mohan Charan Majhi Cabinet.

Awards

Harichandan was awarded the Kalinga Ratna Award in 2021.

Books

Harichandan has authored several books some of which include Marubataas, Mahasangramar Mahanayak, Buxi Jagabandhu, Paika Mutiny and his autobiography Sangarsha Sarinahin.

References