BJP has chosen senior party members, who had virtually retired from active politics some years ago, as governors of
Andhra Pradesh and
Chhattisgarh.
Biswa Bhusan Harichandan, Andhra Pradesh
*Harichandan, 85, began his career with Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1971.
*Served five terms in state assembly, representing Chilka and Bhubaneswar.
*Detained during Emergency.
*After Emergency, became member of newly formed Janata Party into which BJS had merged; was a minister in the Nilamani Routray government from 1977-79.
*After Janata Party split and BJP was formed in 1980, became chief of its Odisha unit and continued in post till 1988.
*Joined
Janata Dal in 1988, was a minister in the Biju Patnaik govt.
*Rejoined BJP in 1996; was a minister in the BJD-BJP government, led by Naveen Patnaik, from 2000 to 2009.
Anusuiya Uikey, Chhattisgarh
*Tribal leader, 62, was a BJP Rajya Sabha MP from April 2006 to 2012, representing Madhya Pradesh.
*Familiar with Chhattisgarh as she was in active politics in undivided Madhya Pradesh.
*Political experience will come in handy while dealing with Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government.
*Had an impressive attendance record as an MP; raised important issues, like the Tatra truck contract controversy during UPA-II and compensation to Bhopal gas tragedy victims and their families, in Rajya Sabha.
*Hails from Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara and had reportedly praised state chief minister Kamal Nath for its development.
*Madhya Pradesh governor Anandiben Patel was holding additional charge of Chhattisgarh.