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{{Short description|Indian politician (born 1951)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2014}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix =
| name = Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju
| name = Ashok Gajapathi Raju
| image = The Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati in New Delhi on October 30, 2014.jpg
| birth_name = Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju
| caption = Raju in October 2014
| image = Shri_Ashok_Gajapati_Raju.jpg
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1951|06|26|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1951|06|26|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Madras]], [[Madras State]], [[India]]
| birth_place = [[Chennai|Madras]], [[Madras State]], India<br> (present-day Chennai, [[Tamil Nadu]])
| residence = Vizian
| residence = [[Raj Bhavan, Panaji]]
| term_end2  = 8 March 2018
| office = [[List of governors of Goa|Governor of Goa]]
| predecessor2  = [[Ajit Singh (politician)|Ajit Singh]]
| 1blankname = [[List of chief ministers of Goa|Chief Minister]]
| successor2    = [[Bellana Chandra Sekhar]]
| 1namedata = [[Pramod Sawant]]
| constituency_MP1 = [[Vizianagaram (Lok Sabha constituency)|Vizianagaram]]
| term_start = 26 July 2025
| parliament1    = Indian
| term_end =
| term_start1    = 16 May 2014
| predecessor = [[P. S. Sreedharan Pillai]]
| term_end1      = 23 May 2019
| successor =
| predecessor1  = [[Botcha Jhansi Lakshmi]]
| office1 = 29th [[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Union Minister of Civil Aviation]]
| successor1    =[[Bellana Chandra Sekhar]]
| term_start1 = 26 May 2014
| constituency_AM3  = [[Vizianagaram (Assembly constituency)|Vizianagaram]]
| term_end1 = 9 March 2018
| assembly3      = Andhra Pradesh Legislative
| primeminister1 = [[Narendra Modi]]
| term3          = 1978–2004 <hr> 2009–2014
| predecessor1 = [[Ajit Singh (politician, born 1939)|Ajit Singh]]
| predecessor3  =  
| successor1 = [[Suresh Prabhu]]
| successor3    = Geetha Meesala
| office2 = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| party          = [[Telugu Desam Party]]
| constituency2 = [[Vizianagaram Lok Sabha constituency|Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh]]
| religion      =
| term_start2 = 16 May 2014
| alma_mater    = [[Hyderabad Public School]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiainfoline.com/Markets/News/Ashok-Gajapathi-Raju-Pusapati/5931883419|title=Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati gets Civil Aviation Ministry|work=indiainfoline.com}}</ref> [[Andhra University]]<ref name="business-standard1">{{cite web|author=BS Reporter |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/ashok-gajapathi-raju-114052600980_1.html |title=Ashok Gajapathi Raju |publisher=Business Standard |date=26 May 2014 |access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref>
| term_end2 = 23 May 2019
| father = [[Pusapati Vijayarama Gajapati Raju]]
| predecessor2 = [[Botcha Jhansi Lakshmi]]
| spouse = Suneela
| successor2 = [[Bellana Chandra Sekhar]]
| children = 2
| office3 = [[First N. Chandrababu Naidu ministry|Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation]] in [[Government of Andhra Pradesh|Andhra Pradesh]]
| website = http://ashokgajapathiraju.com/
| term_start3 = 11 October 1999
| footnotes =
| term_end3 = 14 May 2004
| date =
| governor3 = * [[Krishan Kant]]
| year =
* [[C. Rangarajan]]
| source =
* [[Surjit Singh Barnala]]
| 1blankname3 = Chief Minister
| 1namedata3 = [[N. Chandrababu Naidu]]
| successor3 = [[Konathala Ramakrishna]]
| office4 = [[First N. Chandrababu Naidu ministry|Minister of Finance and Legislative Affairs]] in [[Government of Andhra Pradesh|Andhra Pradesh]]
| term_start4 = 1 September 1995
| term_end4 = 10 October 1999
| governor4 = * [[Krishan Kant]]
* [[C. Rangarajan]]
| 1blankname4 = Chief Minister
| 1namedata4 = [[N. Chandrababu Naidu]]
| predecessor4 =  
| successor4 =  
| office5 = [[Fourth N. T. Rama Rao ministry|Minister of Commercial Taxes and Legislative Affairs]] in [[Government of Andhra Pradesh|Andhra Pradesh]]
| term_start5 = 12 December 1994
| term_end5 = 31 August 1995
| governor5 = [[Krishan Kant]]
| 1blankname5 = Chief Minister
| 1namedata5 = [[N. T. Rama Rao]]
| predecessor5 =
| successor5 =  
| office6 = [[Second N. T. Rama Rao ministry|Minister of Excise]] in [[Government of Andhra Pradesh|Andhra Pradesh]]
| term_start6 = 9 March 1985
| term_end6 = 2 December 1989
| 1blankname6 = Chief Minister
| 1namedata6 = [[N. T. Rama Rao]]
| office7 = [[First N. T. Rama Rao ministry|Minister of Commercial Taxes]] in [[Government of Andhra Pradesh|Andhra Pradesh]]
| term_start7 = 1983
| term_end7 = 1985
| 1blankname7 = Chief Minister
| 1namedata7 = [[N. T. Rama Rao]]
| office8 = [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member]] of [[Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly]]
| constituency8 = [[Vizianagaram Assembly constituency|Vizianagaram]]
| term_start8 = 19 May 2009
| term_end8 = 28 March 2014
| predecessor8 = [[Kolagatla Veerabhadra Swamy]]
| successor8 = Meesala Geetha
| term_start9 = 5 March 1978
| term_end9 = 14 November 2003
| predecessor9 = Appannadora Appasani
| successor9 = [[Kolagatla Veerabhadra Swamy]]
| constituency9 = [[Vizianagaram Assembly constituency|Vizianagaram]]
| party = [[Telugu Desam Party]]
| religion =  
| alma_mater = [[Hyderabad Public School]]
| children = 2 (including [[Pusapati Aditi Vijayalakshmi]])
| website = http://ashokgajapathiraju.com
}}
}}
'''Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju''' (born 26 June 1951) is an Indian politician and the former [[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Union Minister for Civil Aviation]] in the [[Narendra Modi Government]]. A scion of Royal family of Vizayanagram princely state, he is the younger son of the last Maharaja of [[Vizianagram]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Analysis | first=Daily News & | title=Ashok Gajapathi Raju: The man with the "Royal Touch" | website=dna | date=26 May 2014  | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-ashok-gajapathi-raju-the-man-with-the-royal-touch-1991472 | access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://members.iinet.net.au/~royalty/ips/v/vizianagram.html|title=VIZIANAGRAM|work=iinet.net.au|access-date=30 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026105517/http://members.iinet.net.au/~royalty/ips/v/vizianagram.html|archive-date=26 October 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was a member of Andhra Pradesh State legislature for over twenty five years and was a Minister in the Govt. of A.P., for thirteen years holding the portfolios of Commercial Tax, Excise, Legislative affairs, Finance, Planning and Revenue.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url = http://www.civilaviation.gov.in/about-minister/meet-the-minister|title = Honourable Minister {{!}} Ministry of Civil Aviation|website = www.civilaviation.gov.in|access-date = 2016-03-03}}</ref>
 
'''Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju''' (born 26 June 1951) is an Indian politician who is currently serving as the [[List of governors of Goa|governor of Goa since July 2025]] and the former [[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Union Minister for Civil Aviation]]. A scion of royal family of [[Vizianagaram Estate|Vizianagaram princely state]], he is the younger son of the last Maharaja of Vizianagaram. He was appointed as governor of Goa by president of India on 14 July 2025<ref>{{cite web | last=Analysis | first=Daily News & | title=Ashok Gajapathi Raju: The man with the "Royal Touch" | website=dna | date=26 May 2014  | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-ashok-gajapathi-raju-the-man-with-the-royal-touch-1991472 | access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://members.iinet.net.au/~royalty/ips/v/vizianagram.html|title=VIZIANAGRAM|work=iinet.net.au|access-date=30 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026105517/http://members.iinet.net.au/~royalty/ips/v/vizianagram.html|archive-date=26 October 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was a member of Andhra Pradesh State legislature for over twenty five years and was a State Minister, for thirteen years holding the portfolios of Commercial Taxes, Excise, Legislative affairs, Finance, Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url = http://www.civilaviation.gov.in/about-minister/meet-the-minister|title = Honourable Minister {{!}} Ministry of Civil Aviation|website = www.civilaviation.gov.in|access-date = 2016-03-03}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju comes from the [[Pusapati]] royal family of the [[Vizianagaram kingdom]]. He is the son of Maharaja [[Pusapati Vijayarama Gajapathi Raju]], the last [[Maharaja of Vizianagram]]. His family is known for its philanthropy through its temples that include the famous [[Simhachalam]] temple and the Maharaja Alak Narayana Society for Arts and Sciences which runs a number of education institutions. He was educated at [[Scindia School]] Gwalior, [[Hyderabad Public School]] and V.S. Krishna College, Visakhapatnam.<ref name="business-standard1"/> His father [[Pusapati Vijayarama Gajapati Raju]] and his brother Pusapati Ananda Gajapathi Raju were also Indian parliamentarians and ministers in the state government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thekshatriyas.org/famous_people/p-ashok-gajapathi-raju/ |title=P Ashok Gajapathi Raju &#124; The Kshatriyas Association of North America |publisher=Thekshatriyas.org |access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="Aviation minister shuns privileges">{{cite news|title=Aviation minister shuns privileges, stands in queue, takes bus to aircraft|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/aviation-minister-shuns-privileges-stands-in-queue-takes-bus-to-aircraft/article1-1247913.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804010017/http://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/aviation-minister-shuns-privileges-stands-in-queue-takes-bus-to-aircraft/article1-1247913.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 August 2014|access-date=5 August 2014}}</ref> He is a former President of Andhra Cricket Association. His efforts resulted in the establishment of several centres for imparting training in several sports at many places including Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram.<ref name=":0" />
Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju comes from the [[Pusapati]] royal family of the [[Vizianagaram Estate|Vizianagaram estate]]. He is the son of Maharaja [[Pusapati Vijayarama Gajapati Raju|Pusapati Vijayarama Gajapathi Raju]], the last [[Vizianagaram Estate#List of title-holders|Maharaja of Vizianagram]]. His family is known for its philanthropy through its temples that include the famous [[Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha temple, Simhachalam|Simhachalam]] temple and the Maharaja Alak Narayana Society for Arts and Sciences which runs a number of education institutions. He was educated at [[Scindia School]] Gwalior, [[The Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet|Hyderabad Public School]] and [[Dr. V. S. Krishna Govt. Degree & P.G College|V.S. Krishna College]], Visakhapatnam.<ref name="business-standard1">{{cite news|author=BS Reporter |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/ashok-gajapathi-raju-114052600980_1.html |title=Ashok Gajapathi Raju |newspaper=Business Standard India |publisher=Business Standard |date=26 May 2014 |access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref> His father Pusapati Vijayarama Gajapati Raju and his brother [[Pusapati Ananda Gajapati Raju (born 1950)|Pusapati Ananda Gajapathi Raju]] were also Indian parliamentarians and ministers in the state government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thekshatriyas.org/famous_people/p-ashok-gajapathi-raju/ |title=P Ashok Gajapathi Raju &#124; The Kshatriyas Association of North America |publisher=Thekshatriyas.org |access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="Aviation minister shuns privileges">{{cite news|title=Aviation minister shuns privileges, stands in queue, takes bus to aircraft|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/aviation-minister-shuns-privileges-stands-in-queue-takes-bus-to-aircraft/article1-1247913.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804010017/http://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/aviation-minister-shuns-privileges-stands-in-queue-takes-bus-to-aircraft/article1-1247913.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 August 2014|access-date=5 August 2014}}</ref> He is a former President of [[Andhra Cricket Association]]. His efforts resulted in the establishment of several centres for imparting training in several sports at many places including Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram.<ref name=":0" /> He is from royal [[Pusapati]] family of [[Andhra Pradesh]] and is 11th Custodian of his family.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Royal House {{!}} A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ROYAL HOUSE OF VIZIANAGARAM|url=http://mansasedu.org/Royal_House.html|access-date=2020-08-29|website=mansasedu.org}}</ref> He married Suneela in the year 1974 and has 2 daughters, one of whom is [[Pusapati Aditi Vijayalakshmi]], the MLA from [[Vizianagaram Assembly constituency]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Members : Lok Sabha|url=http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/memberbioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4760&lastls=16|access-date=2020-08-29|website=164.100.47.194}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pativada |first=Sreenu Babu |date=2024-04-13 |title=2 women in fray to take forward family legacy in North Andhra politics |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2024/Apr/13/2-women-in-fray-to-take-forward-family-legacy-in-north-andhra-politics |access-date=2025-07-19 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>


==Political career==
==Political career==
He won the [[Vizianagaram (Assembly constituency)|Vizianagaram]] Vidhan Sabha constituency for the first time as [[Janata Party]] candidate in 1978. He joined the [[Telugu Desam Party]] when it was formed in 1982 and won the state assembly elections of 1983, 1985, 1989, 1994, 1999 and 2009. He won the [[2014 Indian general election]] to the [[16th Lok Sabha]] to from [[Vizianagaram (Lok Sabha constituency)|Vizianagaram]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eciresults.nic.in/ConstituencywiseS0120.htm?ac=20 |title=Constituencywise-All Candidates |publisher=Eciresults.nic.in |date=17 May 2014 |access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref> He served Andhra Pradesh as a Cabinet Minister for Excise,Commercial Taxes, Finance, Revenue and Legislative Affairs in State Government.He is a Politburo member in the [[Telugu Desam Party]]. He was the Union minister for [[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Civil Aviation]] in the [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|National Democratic Alliance]] cabinet. He resigned on 8 March 2018 over a dispute with central government to provide special status to Andhra Pradesh.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Nair|first1=Sobhana K.|title=TDP Ministers Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Y.S. Chowdary resign from Union Cabinet|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tdp-ministers-ashok-gajapathi-raju-and-ys-chowdary-submit-resignations/article22983614.ece|website=The Hindu|access-date=9 March 2018|language=en-IN|date=8 March 2018}}</ref>
[[File:The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee administering the oath as Cabinet Minister to Shri Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati, at a Swearing-in Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on May 26, 2014.jpg|250px|thumb|President Pranab Mukherjee administering the oath as Cabinet Minister to Raju]]
He won the [[Vizianagaram Assembly constituency|Vizianagaram]] Legislative Assembly constituency for the first time as [[Janata Party]] candidate in 1978. He joined the [[Telugu Desam Party]] when it was formed in 1982 and won the state assembly elections of 1983, 1985, 1989, 1994, 1999 and 2009. He won the [[2014 Indian general election]] to the [[16th Lok Sabha]] from [[Vizianagaram (Lok Sabha constituency)|Vizianagaram]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eciresults.nic.in/ConstituencywiseS0120.htm?ac=20 |title=Constituencywise-All Candidates |publisher=Eciresults.nic.in |date=17 May 2014 |access-date=28 May 2014 |archive-date=19 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519002158/http://eciresults.nic.in/ConstituencywiseS0120.htm?ac=20 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He served Andhra Pradesh as a Cabinet Minister for Excise, Commercial Taxes, Finance, Revenue and Legislative Affairs in State Government. He is a Politburo member in the [[Telugu Desam Party]]. He was the Union minister for [[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Civil Aviation]] in the [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|National Democratic Alliance]] cabinet. He resigned on 8 March 2018 over a dispute with central government to provide special status to Andhra Pradesh.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Nair|first1=Sobhana K.|title=TDP Ministers Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Y.S. Chowdary resign from Union Cabinet|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tdp-ministers-ashok-gajapathi-raju-and-ys-chowdary-submit-resignations/article22983614.ece|website=The Hindu|access-date=9 March 2018|language=en-IN|date=8 March 2018}}</ref>
== Goa Governorship ==
On July 14, 2025, he was appointed as the Governor of Goa, with his swearing-in scheduled for July 26.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-07-14 |title=Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju appointed Governor of Goa |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/goa/pusapati-ashok-gajapathi-raju-appointed-governor-of-goa/article69810418.ece |access-date=2025-07-19 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> He officially resigned from the TDP to take up the post and expressed gratitude to the party leadership for the opportunity to serve.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=2025-07-08 |title=Senior leader Pusapati Ashok quits TDP; to take oath as Goa governor on July 26 |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2025/Jul/19/senior-leader-pusapati-ashok-quits-tdp-to-take-oath-as-goa-governor-on-july-26 |access-date=2025-07-19 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>


== Other Works ==
== Other works ==
He took an active part in the struggle for the formation of a new district viz. [[Vizianagaram]]. His interest to improve education in the district led to the establishment of several governmental and non-governmental educational institutions. He served as Chairman of The Maharaja Alak Narayana Society of Arts and Science (MANSAS) which is running twelve educational institutions in the district. As a Minister, he was associated with several developmental activities. He is keenly interested in the field of public health and the conservation of water and electricity. In pursuance of this ideal, he launched housing, drinking water and health schemes. He has traveled abroad to study town planning and to implement it suitably in Andhra Pradesh.<ref name=":0" />
He took an active part in the struggle for the formation of a new district viz. [[Vizianagaram]]. His interest to improve education in the district led to the establishment of several governmental and non-governmental educational institutions. He served as Chairman of The Maharaja Alak Narayana Society of Arts and Science (MANSAS) which is running twelve educational institutions in the district. As a Minister, he was associated with several developmental activities. He is keenly interested in the field of public health and the conservation of water and electricity. In pursuance of this ideal, he launched housing, drinking water and health schemes. He has traveled abroad to study town planning and to implement it suitably in Andhra Pradesh.<ref name=":0" />
== Personal life ==
He is from royal [[Pusapati]] family of [[Andhra Pradesh]] and is 11th Custodian of his family.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Royal House {{!}} A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ROYAL HOUSE OF VIZIANAGARAM|url=http://mansasedu.org/Royal_House.html|access-date=2020-08-29|website=mansasedu.org}}</ref> He married Suneela in the year 1974 and has 2 daughters.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Members : Lok Sabha|url=http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/memberbioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4760&lastls=16|access-date=2020-08-29|website=164.100.47.194}}</ref> He is a strongmen of his family and also involves in activities besides Politics.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ashok Gehlot Biography - About family, political life, awards won, history|url=https://www.elections.in/political-leaders/ashok-gehlot.html/|access-date=2020-08-29|website=Elections in India}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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{{s-bef|before=[[Botsa Jhansi Lakshmi]]}}
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{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament<br>for [[Vizianagaram (Lok Sabha constituency)|Vizianagaram]] |years=2014 – Present}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament<br>for [[Vizianagaram (Lok Sabha constituency)|Vizianagaram]] |years=2014 – 2019}}
{{s-aft|after=Incumbent}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Bellana Chandra Sekhar]]}}
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{{s-bef|before=[[Ajit Singh (politician)|Ajit Singh]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Ajit Singh (politician, born 1939)|Ajit Singh]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Minister of Civil Aviation]]|years=26 May 2014 – 8 March 2018}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Minister of Civil Aviation]]|years=26 May 2014 – 8 March 2018}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Suresh Prabhu]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Suresh Prabhu]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[P. S. Sreedharan Pillai]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of governors of Goa|Governor of Goa]]|years=26 July 2025 – Present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}


{{Cabinet of Narendra Modi}}
 
 
{{Current Indian governors}}{{Cabinet of Narendra Modi}}
{{Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)}}
{{Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)}}
{{16th LS members from Andhra Pradesh |state=collapsed}}
{{16th LS members from Andhra Pradesh |state=collapsed}}
 
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Raju, Ashok Gajapati}}
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[[Category:Telugu Desam Party politicians]]
[[Category:Telugu Desam Party politicians]]
[[Category:Living people]]
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[[Category:16th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:India MPs 2014–2019]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:People from Vizianagaram district]]
[[Category:People from Vizianagaram district]]
[[Category:Members of the Cabinet of India]]
[[Category:Members of the Cabinet of India]]
[[Category:Union ministers from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Civil aviation ministers of India]]
[[Category:Civil aviation ministers of India]]
[[Category:Narendra Modi ministry]]
[[Category:Narendra Modi ministry]]
[[Category:People from Uttarandhra]]
[[Category:People from Uttarandhra]]
[[Category:Governors of Goa]]

Revision as of 21:03, 7 March 2026


Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju
Raju in October 2014
Governor of Goa
Assumed office
26 July 2025
Chief MinisterPramod Sawant
Preceded byP. S. Sreedharan Pillai
29th Union Minister of Civil Aviation
In office
26 May 2014 – 9 March 2018
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi
Preceded byAjit Singh
Succeeded bySuresh Prabhu
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
16 May 2014 – 23 May 2019
Preceded byBotcha Jhansi Lakshmi
Succeeded byBellana Chandra Sekhar
ConstituencyVizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh
Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation in Andhra Pradesh
In office
11 October 1999 – 14 May 2004
Governor
Chief MinisterN. Chandrababu Naidu
Succeeded byKonathala Ramakrishna
Minister of Finance and Legislative Affairs in Andhra Pradesh
In office
1 September 1995 – 10 October 1999
Governor
Chief MinisterN. Chandrababu Naidu
Minister of Commercial Taxes and Legislative Affairs in Andhra Pradesh
In office
12 December 1994 – 31 August 1995
GovernorKrishan Kant
Chief MinisterN. T. Rama Rao
Minister of Excise in Andhra Pradesh
In office
9 March 1985 – 2 December 1989
Chief MinisterN. T. Rama Rao
Minister of Commercial Taxes in Andhra Pradesh
In office
1983–1985
Chief MinisterN. T. Rama Rao
Member of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
In office
19 May 2009 – 28 March 2014
Preceded byKolagatla Veerabhadra Swamy
Succeeded byMeesala Geetha
ConstituencyVizianagaram
In office
5 March 1978 – 14 November 2003
Preceded byAppannadora Appasani
Succeeded byKolagatla Veerabhadra Swamy
ConstituencyVizianagaram
Personal details
Born (1951-06-26) 26 June 1951 (age 75)
Madras, Madras State, India
(present-day Chennai, Tamil Nadu)
Political partyTelugu Desam Party
Children2 (including Pusapati Aditi Vijayalakshmi)
ResidenceRaj Bhavan, Panaji
Alma materHyderabad Public School
Websitehttp://ashokgajapathiraju.com

Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju (born 26 June 1951) is an Indian politician who is currently serving as the governor of Goa since July 2025 and the former Union Minister for Civil Aviation. A scion of royal family of Vizianagaram princely state, he is the younger son of the last Maharaja of Vizianagaram. He was appointed as governor of Goa by president of India on 14 July 2025[1][2] He was a member of Andhra Pradesh State legislature for over twenty five years and was a State Minister, for thirteen years holding the portfolios of Commercial Taxes, Excise, Legislative affairs, Finance, Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation.[3]

Personal life

Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju comes from the Pusapati royal family of the Vizianagaram estate. He is the son of Maharaja Pusapati Vijayarama Gajapathi Raju, the last Maharaja of Vizianagram. His family is known for its philanthropy through its temples that include the famous Simhachalam temple and the Maharaja Alak Narayana Society for Arts and Sciences which runs a number of education institutions. He was educated at Scindia School Gwalior, Hyderabad Public School and V.S. Krishna College, Visakhapatnam.[4] His father Pusapati Vijayarama Gajapati Raju and his brother Pusapati Ananda Gajapathi Raju were also Indian parliamentarians and ministers in the state government.[5][6] He is a former President of Andhra Cricket Association. His efforts resulted in the establishment of several centres for imparting training in several sports at many places including Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram.[3] He is from royal Pusapati family of Andhra Pradesh and is 11th Custodian of his family.[7] He married Suneela in the year 1974 and has 2 daughters, one of whom is Pusapati Aditi Vijayalakshmi, the MLA from Vizianagaram Assembly constituency.[8][9]

Political career

President Pranab Mukherjee administering the oath as Cabinet Minister to Raju

He won the Vizianagaram Legislative Assembly constituency for the first time as Janata Party candidate in 1978. He joined the Telugu Desam Party when it was formed in 1982 and won the state assembly elections of 1983, 1985, 1989, 1994, 1999 and 2009. He won the 2014 Indian general election to the 16th Lok Sabha from Vizianagaram.[10] He served Andhra Pradesh as a Cabinet Minister for Excise, Commercial Taxes, Finance, Revenue and Legislative Affairs in State Government. He is a Politburo member in the Telugu Desam Party. He was the Union minister for Civil Aviation in the National Democratic Alliance cabinet. He resigned on 8 March 2018 over a dispute with central government to provide special status to Andhra Pradesh.[11]

Goa Governorship

On July 14, 2025, he was appointed as the Governor of Goa, with his swearing-in scheduled for July 26.[12] He officially resigned from the TDP to take up the post and expressed gratitude to the party leadership for the opportunity to serve.[13]

Other works

He took an active part in the struggle for the formation of a new district viz. Vizianagaram. His interest to improve education in the district led to the establishment of several governmental and non-governmental educational institutions. He served as Chairman of The Maharaja Alak Narayana Society of Arts and Science (MANSAS) which is running twelve educational institutions in the district. As a Minister, he was associated with several developmental activities. He is keenly interested in the field of public health and the conservation of water and electricity. In pursuance of this ideal, he launched housing, drinking water and health schemes. He has traveled abroad to study town planning and to implement it suitably in Andhra Pradesh.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Analysis, Daily News & (26 May 2014). "Ashok Gajapathi Raju: The man with the "Royal Touch"". dna. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  2. ↑ "VIZIANAGRAM". iinet.net.au. Archived from the original on 26 October 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Honourable Minister | Ministry of Civil Aviation". www.civilaviation.gov.in. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  4. ↑ BS Reporter (26 May 2014). "Ashok Gajapathi Raju". Business Standard India. Business Standard. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  5. ↑ "P Ashok Gajapathi Raju | The Kshatriyas Association of North America". Thekshatriyas.org. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  6. ↑ "Aviation minister shuns privileges, stands in queue, takes bus to aircraft". Archived from the original on 4 August 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  7. ↑ "Royal House | A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ROYAL HOUSE OF VIZIANAGARAM". mansasedu.org. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  8. ↑ "Members : Lok Sabha". 164.100.47.194. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  9. ↑ Pativada, Sreenu Babu (13 April 2024). "2 women in fray to take forward family legacy in North Andhra politics". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  10. ↑ "Constituencywise-All Candidates". Eciresults.nic.in. 17 May 2014. Archived from the original on 19 May 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  11. ↑ Nair, Sobhana K. (8 March 2018). "TDP Ministers Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Y.S. Chowdary resign from Union Cabinet". The Hindu. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  12. ↑ "Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju appointed Governor of Goa". The Hindu. 14 July 2025. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  13. ↑ Service, Express News (8 July 2025). "Senior leader Pusapati Ashok quits TDP; to take oath as Goa governor on July 26". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
Lok Sabha
Preceded by
Botsa Jhansi Lakshmi 		Member of Parliament
for Vizianagaram
2014 – 2019 		Succeeded by
Bellana Chandra Sekhar
Political offices
Preceded by
Ajit Singh 		Minister of Civil Aviation
26 May 2014 – 8 March 2018 		Succeeded by
Suresh Prabhu
Preceded by
P. S. Sreedharan Pillai 		Governor of Goa
26 July 2025 – Present 		Incumbent


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