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DIMAPUR — The political landscape mourns the loss of Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya, a stalwart Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Governor of Nagaland, who passed away at the age of 92 (born on October 8, 1931).
Affectionately known as 'PB,' Acharya took his last breath at his residence in Andheri West, Mumbai. The final rites will be conducted this evening at the Oshiwara Crematorium, marking the end of a remarkable journey in Indian politics.
Acharya, an Indian politician, initially assumed the role of Governor of Nagaland from July 19, 2014, to July 31, 2019. Simultaneously, he held the position of Governor in other states, including Manipur (from June 27, 2019, to July 23, 2019), Arunachal Pradesh (from January 28, 2017, to October 3, 2017), and Tripura (from July 21, 2014, to May 19, 2015).
Acharya, a senior leader who served the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, and BJP, was the second person from coastal Karnataka to be appointed to the Governor's post after Margaret Alva. He was also the first from the Gaud Saraswat Brahmin (GSB) community.
He held the position of national secretary of the BJP during Narendra Modi's tenure as the national general secretary of the party from 1995 to 2001. During this period, Modi was responsible for five north Indian states, while Padmanabha Acharya was entrusted with the northeastern states.
Born in Udupi district, Karnataka, Acharya completed his matriculation at Christian High School, Udupi, and pursued further studies at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial College, Udupi. After graduation, he worked in Mumbai, associated with Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), and became a member of Mumbai University's senate. He also obtained an LL.B degree from Mumbai University. He was credited with planning the Gyanodaya Express College on Wheels for the University of Delhi in Northeast India.
During his tenure in Nagaland, he often stated, "Nagaland is rich, but its people are poor," emphasising the state's potential to become a Golden Nagaland.
Under his leadership, the Kohima Raj Bhavan transformed into a creative and warm centre, truly becoming a people's place. He stressed that the Durbar Hall, a British legacy, should be called the "People’s Hall." As he left the state, he left behind a rich memory and legacy with the people.
As of the time of filing this report, the cause of death is unknown.