Ashok Gajapathi Raju takes oath as Goa Governor

Former Union Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju was sworn in because the Governor of Goa on Saturday (July 26, 2025), succeeding P.S. Sreedharan Pillai.

Mr. Raju was administered the oath of workplace at Raj Bhavan by Chief Justice of Bombay Excessive Courtroom Alok Aradhe. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and different dignitaries attended the occasion.

Mr. Raju, 74, mentioned he would observe the Structure of India whereas serving the folks.

“All of us work as a staff, and I’m very delighted that I’m related to Goans,” he mentioned.

“Although I don’t perceive the native language and that is my first project on this (gubernatorial) workplace, I’ve had an extended innings within the political set-up. I used to be a seven-time legislator in Andhra Pradesh earlier than it was bifurcated into two states,” he mentioned.

Referring to his political profession, Mr. Raju mentioned he had a brief tenure in Parliament.

“I’ve been out and in as a minister within the authorities and in addition sat within the opposition. I’ve large expertise,” the Governor added.

A veteran Telugu Desam Celebration (TDP) chief from Andhra Pradesh, Raju served because the Civil Aviation Minister between Could 27, 2014 and March 10, 2018. He has additionally held ministerial posts within the Andhra Pradesh authorities.

Later, addressing reporters, Mr. Raju mentioned he was trying ahead to working with the folks of Goa.

“I’m trying ahead to working for you, or relatively, I ought to say ‘working with you. ‘For’ is a thoughts terminology, however (I desire to say) ‘with you’ as a result of if folks don’t work with the federal government, democracy suffers. We don’t need that scenario. We wish everybody to work unitedly,” he added.

He appealed to folks to take India ahead by working collectively. “India will likely be second to none on the planet”.

Mr. Pillai had accomplished 4 years within the gubernatorial place in Goa. He was accorded a farewell on Thursday (July 24, 2025).