Nagaland Governor La. Ganesan passed away in Chennai on August 15, 2025, following a prolonged battle with a catastrophic intracerebral haemorrhage. He was 80.
Leaders pay homage
President Droupadi Murmu expressed deep sorrow on X, remembering him as a leader who worked tirelessly for the people: “Saddened by the demise of Governor of Nagaland, Shri La. Ganesan Ji. He also served as Member of Rajya Sabha and Governor of Manipur and West Bengal. During his long public life, he worked for the welfare of the people. His contribution to the development of Tamil Nadu and the country will be remembered. I extend my deep condolences to his family and admirers.”
Saddened by the demise of Governor of Nagaland, Shri La Ganesan Ji. He also served as Member of Rajya Sabha and Governor of Manipur and West Bengal. During his long public life, he worked for the welfare of the people. His contribution to the development of Tamil Nadu and the…
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 15, 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his condolence message, said Ganesan would be remembered as a devout nationalist: “Pained by the passing of Nagaland Governor Thiru La. Ganesan Ji. He will be remembered as a devout nationalist, who dedicated his life to service and nation-building. He worked hard to expand the BJP across Tamil Nadu. He was deeply passionate about Tamil culture too. My thoughts are with his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”
நாகாலாந்து ஆளுநர் திரு இல. கணேசன் அவர்களின் மறைவால் வேதனை அடைந்தேன். தேச சேவைக்கும், தேசத்தைச் சிறப்பாகக் கட்டமைக்கவும் தமது வாழ்க்கையை அர்ப்பணித்த ஒரு உண்மையான தேசியவாதியாக அவர் எப்போதும் நினைவுகூரப்படுவார். தமிழ்நாடு முழுவதும் பிஜேபி-யின் வளர்ச்சிக்கு அவர் கடுமையாக உழைத்தார்.… pic.twitter.com/fk9HyJMNSw
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 15, 2025
Union Home Minister Amit Shah recalled Ganesan’s contributions during the Emergency, his role in spreading the BJP’s ideology, and his constitutional service as Governor.
Deeply pained by the demise of the Governor of Nagaland, La. Ganesan Ji. A BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, Ganesan Ji, made valuable contributions to the nation during the emergency period. He will be remembered for his role in expanding the party's footprint, disseminating the…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 15, 2025
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh remembered him as “deeply committed to public service and to expanding the party’s footprint in Tamil Nadu.”
Deeply anguished by the demise of Nagaland Governor Thiru La. Ganesan. He was deeply committed to public service and welfare of the people.
La. Ganesan ji dedicated his life to expanding the BJP's footprint in Tamil Nadu. His contributions to the party and the public life will…
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 15, 2025
Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, who personally visited his residence to pay respects, said Ganesan’s passing was an “irreparable loss to the nation” and hailed his simplicity and humility.
"Deeply pained by the demise of Hon'ble Governor of Nagaland Thiru La. Ganesan. From a young age, he devoted himself to the selfless services of the nation and the welfare of the people with simplicity and humility. His passing is an irreparable loss to the nation. I extend my… pic.twitter.com/O08oFnMPdU
— LOK BHAVAN, TAMIL NADU (@lokbhavan_tn) August 15, 2025
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, after visiting Ganesan’s residence, noted his political courtesy and warm personal ties across ideological divides:
“He maintained a special bond with leaders across parties, including former CM Karunanidhi, and was personally a friend to me as well.”
மூத்த அரசியல் தலைவரும் நாகாலாந்து மாநில ஆளுநருமான திரு. இல. கணேசன் அவர்கள் மறைந்த செய்தி அறிந்து மிகவும் துயருற்றேன்.
திரு. இல. கணேசன் அவர்கள் பா.ஜ.க. மாநிலத் தலைவர், பா.ஜ.க. தேசிய துணைத்தலைவர், மாநிலங்களவை உறுப்பினர், மணிப்பூர் மற்றும் நாகாலாந்து மாநிலங்களின் ஆளுநர் எனப்… pic.twitter.com/qPhYn5gO2H
— M.K.Stalin – தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) August 15, 2025
BJP leaders K. Annamalai, Nainar Nagendran, and senior RSS functionaries also expressed condolences.
மறைந்த நாகாலாந்து ஆளுநர் மாண்புமிகு அண்ணன் திரு. இல.கணேசன் அவர்களது உடல், பொதுமக்கள் அஞ்சலிக்காக, இன்று சென்னை தியாகராய நகர், நடேசன் பூங்காவிற்கு எதிரில் உள்ள மைதானத்தில் வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.
அவரது உடலுக்கு, தமிழக முதலமைச்சர் அவர்களும், பல்வேறு மாநில ஆளுநர்களும், மத்திய மற்றும்… pic.twitter.com/qtbtnO7Ted
— Nainar Nagenthran (@NainarBJP) August 16, 2025
Former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan highlighted his cultural and literary pursuits, recalling his role in founding Potraamarai literary outfit and editing the BJP magazine Ore Naadu for more than 25 years.
Kerala Governor:
Hon’ble Governor Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar condoled the sad demise of La. Ganesan, Governor of Nagaland and former senior BJP leader from Tamil Nadu. A veteran leader, he served the nation with dedication and commitment. May his soul attain Mukti. pic.twitter.com/qNXkxCVyCf
— Kerala Governor (@KeralaGovernor) August 16, 2025
The life and journey of La. Ganesan
Fondly called “LG” by friends and colleagues, La. Ganesan hailed from a staunch RSS background. He was the seventh child in his family, and after the demise of his father when he was just nine years old, his elder brother took responsibility for raising him.
His tryst with the RSS became serious in 1970 at a meeting in Tiruchirappalli, when state organiser K.S. Rama Gopalan asked who would dedicate their lives to the Sangh. Ganesan was the first to raise his hand. Soon after, he quit his government job as a Revenue Settlement Inspector to become a full-time Pracharak.
His first major assignment came in Nagercoil, followed by responsibilities in Tirunelveli, Madurai, Ramanathapuram, and Kanyakumari. Known for his organisational acumen and unwavering ideological commitment, he rose steadily, eventually becoming Joint State Organiser.
In 1991, Ganesan was deputed to the BJP and served as its Organisation General Secretary in Tamil Nadu. He later became BJP State President (2006–2009) and contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from South Chennai, though unsuccessfully. Despite this, he built strong relationships across the political spectrum, including with DMK chief M. Karunanidhi, CPI leader R. Nallakannu, and other Left stalwarts.
In 2016, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh and served until April 2018.
His was appointed as Governor of Manipur in 2021. He also held additional charge of West Bengal between July and November 2022, before being made Governor of Nagaland in February 2023.
Personal life
Since 1991, Ganesan lived at his brother’s residence in Chennai and remained deeply attached to his extended family. Friends and admirers recall his humility, warmth, and simplicity, the qualities that made him respected across ideological lines.
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