Andhra CM Naidu's trusted aide Ashok Gjapathi Raju appointed Goa Governor

Hyderabad: TDP senior leader Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, a trusted aide of party supremo and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, has been appointed as Goa Governor.

TDP is an important NDA ally and part of the NDA government at Centre. Throughout his political career, Raju won as MLA seven times and once as MP, serving as Union Minister for Civil Aviation during the first term of Narendra Modi as the prime minister.

In undivided Andhra Pradesh, his name was invariably included in the cabinet whenever TDP was in power. Belonging to the Pusapati royal dynasty, Ashok Gajapathi Raju is the head of the Vizianagaram Estate.

His daughter, Aditi Vijayalakshmi, currently serves as TDP MLA from Vizianagaram. Despite his royal lineage, the Pusapatis are known for their simple lifestyle. Raju has a rare and exceptional personality, often seen cleaning his own car and driving himself.

Both Naidu and his son IT minister Nara Lokesh congratulated Raju while reminding his personality of honesty and integrity.

“Heartiest congratulations to P Ashok Gajapathi Raju on his appointment as the Governor of Goa. This is a moment of great pride for the people of our state. I sincerely thank the President of India Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the Union Cabinet for bestowing upon him this honour. I wish Raju a successful and fulfilling tenure in this esteemed role,” said Naidu on social media.

Lokesh said, “Heartfelt congratulations to P Ashok Gajapathi Raju on being appointed as Governor of Goa. I thank President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Naredra Modi for bestowing this honour on Raju. I am confident that with his integrity, honesty and utmost commitment to public cause, Raju will bring great dignity to the office of the Governor.”