La. Ganesan was born on February 16, 1945 in the historic temple town of Tanjore. His family was deeply rooted in the nationalist ethos, and his association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) began even before his school years, as his family was closely linked to the movement as a Bala Pracharak.
After completing his Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC), he was compelled to take up a government position in the Revenue Department, serving as a Revenue Settlement Inspector. For nine years, he discharged his duties with diligence before resigning to dedicate himself fully to public service through RSS. Choosing the life of an RSS Pracharak, he worked tirelessly for the welfare of the people and the advancement of their cause. He worked as a Pracharak in Madurai, Tirunelveli and Chennai.
In 1975, during the imposition of the Emergency, he served as the Chief Organiser for Tamil Nadu, leading the movement with courage and commitment in one of the most challenging periods in the nation’s democratic history.
During his time as Pracharak, he handled the Mandaikkadu riots and Meenakshi Puram mass conversion issues very effectively
When he was appointed as the Prant Sah Pracharak of Tamil Nadu RSS, he was asked to serve in the BJP to broaden the base of the party in 1991 as the State BJP’s Organisation General Secretary.
He held the post until 2003, when he was elevated to the position of BJP National Vice President. He came back to Tamil Nadu as the 8th State President of the BJP Tamil Nadu for a period between 2006 and 2009.
He was elected to the upper house of the Parliament from the Bhopal constituency and served for a brief period of 18 months from 6th October 2016 to 2nd April 2018.
In 2021, La Ganesan became the Governor of Manipur and served the office till February 2023. During this period, in July 2022, he also held an additional charge as the Governor of West Bengal till November 2022.
La Ganesan became the Governor of Nagaland in February 2023.
La Ganesan had suffered an injury at his residence and was undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai. He passed away to the heavenly abode on August 15, 2025.
