Take India forward by working unitedly, urges new Governor

Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju takes oath of office

Panaji: Former Union minister Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju was sworn in as the Governor of Goa on Saturday, succeeding P S Sreedharan Pillai.

Raju was administered the oath of office at the Raj Bhavan by Chief Justice of Bombay High Court Alok Aradhe. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and other dignitaries attended the event.

Speaking after the swearing-in ceremony, Raju said he will follow the Constitution of India while serving the people of Goa. He appealed to the people to take India forward by working together. “India will be second to none in the world,” he said. “We all work as a team, and I am delighted that I am associated with Goans,” he said.

A seven-time legislator, with a stint in the Parliament too, 74-year-old Raju brings decades of administrative and legislative experience to his new constitutional role in Goa.

“Though I don’t understand the local language and this is my first assignment in this (gubernatorial) office, I have had a long innings in the political set-up.”

 I was a seven-time legislator in Andhra Pradesh before it was bifurcated into two states,” Raju said.

Referring to his political career, Raju said he has been in and out as a minister in the government and also sat in the opposition. “I have wide experience,” the Governor said and added that it will be further enriched while working with the people here.

A veteran Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader from Andhra Pradesh, Raju served as the civil aviation minister between May 27, 2014, and March 10, 2018. He has also held ministerial posts in the Andhra Pradesh government.

Addressing reporters, Raju said, “I am looking forward to working for you, or rather, I should say ‘working with you’. ‘For’ is a mind terminology, but (I prefer to say) ‘with you’ because if people don’t work with the government, democracy suffers. We don’t want that situation. We want everyone to work unitedly,” he said.

Chief Minister Sawant extended heartiest congratulations to Raju. Sawant said the Governor’s vast experience in public life and deep commitment to democratic values will immensely benefit the people of Goa.

“I am looking forward to working closely with the new Governor in strengthening the vision of development, welfare and good governance in the state,” he said. The Chief Minister wished Raju a successful and fulfilling tenure.

Others who attended the event included all state ministers, ruling and opposition MLAs, Union Minister of State Shripad Naik and Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade.

Speaker of Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly Chintakayala Ayyannapatrudu, Union Minister for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Andhra Pradesh’s Minister for Women and Child Welfare Gummadi Sandhya Rani were also present on the occasion.