AGARTALA, July 21 (TIWN): Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya was today sworn in as new Governor of Tripura. Chief Justice of the High Court of Tripura Deepak Gupta administered the oath taking ceremony at Raj Bhawan here this evening.

The new Governor took the oath of secrecy at the Durbar Hall at Raj Bhawan at 5 PM today and was later offered Guard of Honour by Tripura Police and TSR jawans. He interacted and was greeted by Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, members of the state cabinet, leaders of different political parties, Chief Secretary Dr. Sk Panda and other dignitaries.

PB Acharya was sworn in as Governor of Nagaland on July 19. A Jan Sangh activist from the early days of his life, Acharya held various responsible posts including the national president of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad in 1969. He was an underground worker till the Emergency was declared and was a Sangh activist till 1976.

Acharya served in different positions in the senate of Mumbai University during his academic stint. He was also the founder general secretary of the Student Experience in Inter-State Living and was engaged in the project from 1967 and handled exchange of students from NE tribal states and vice versa.

Acharya became an active political worker in 1977 and rose to be the national secretary of the BHaratiya Janata Party (BJP) and in-charge of Northeastern states from 1995 till 2002. Acharya was executive in-charge of SC and ST Morcha and co-convener of the Overseas Friends of BJP and National Prahari of the North Eats India Sampark Cell.

Interacting with the media after his swearing in ceremony at the Raj Bhawan here this evening, the new Governor said that he would work for the development of the region henceforth. “Tripura, like many other states of the NE region, is full of potential. It can surge ahead with the help of a proper direction. I shall try to work to the best of my capacity in my position”, he said.