Udupi: Veteran politician PB Acharya no more

Udupi: Veteran BJP leader Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya (P.B. Acharya) passed away at his residence in Mumbai on November 10.

PB Acharya had served as the Governor of Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura.

Acharya’s appointment as the Governor of Nagaland in 2014 marked a significant milestone, making him the second person from coastal Karnataka to hold this prestigious position – the first being Margaret Alva. Notably, he was the first individual from the Gaud Saraswat Brahmin (GSB) community to be appointed to the Governor’s post.

Born in Udupi to Balakrishna and Radha Acharya, P B Acharya moved to Mumbai after completing his graduation from MGM College. In Mumbai, PB Acharya pursued further studies alongside employment and secured a degree in law from The University of Mumbai.

He was active in Sangh Parivar organisations for many years and had a deep knowledge regarding the development of the northeastern states. He held key positions in the BJP and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Par (ABVP). In 1952, he founded “Students’ Experience in Interstate Leaving (SEIL),” an affiliate of ABVP.

He was closely associated with Udupi and used to visit his hometown frequently even when he was the Governor.

He is survived by his wife Savita Acharya, three sons, and a daughter.