Three times MLA from Madikeri constituency, Madepanda Appachu Ranjan finally got a place in the State cabinet on Thursday. The people in Kodagu expressed their happiness as Ranjan sworn in as the minister.
Appachu Ranjan was born in Mandepanda family in Chembebellur village of Virajpet taluk on September 11, 1957. He is a BA degree holder. A good sportsman, Ranjan was the member of college hockey and football teams. In 1997, he won the best sportsman award in a sports tourney organised for South Indian MLAs.
Ranjan entered politics in 1978 after he was elected as the director of Madapura VSSN. He was elected for the State Legislative Assembly in 1994, for the first time. He got elected for the lower house again in 1999 and 2008. Ranjan lost the election once. He was also the Youth BJP president in 1980. Later, he served as the BJP taluk President from 1986 to 1991 and the district BJP president from 1991 to 1995.
Ranjan’s family consists of wife Ponnamma (Shaila Appacchu), two sons and a daughter. Elder son Poovaiah is working as an engineer in USA and younger son Cariappa is a doctor in the US. His daughter Ksheera is a dentist by profession.
‘Overall devt aim’
Appachu Ranjan who sworn in as the minister assured that he would work for the comprehensive development of Kodagu district.
Speaking to Deccan Herald over phone from Bangalore, after swearing in as the Minister, he expressed his happiness and said that he is satisfied now as he got the cabinet berth which he claimed becuase of the blessings of Goddess Cauvery and wishes of the people. He thanked former chief minister Sadananda Gowda, Speaker Bhopaiah and RSS leaders for their support.
He said that he was aware of the little time he has got to accomplish several tasks ahead of him. “I am ready to manage any responsibility. If I get Panchayat Raj and Rural Development ministry it would help for the overall development of Kodagu,” he added.
Ranjan said the BJP government has showed special interest to solve Jamma Bane
problem in the district, but few environmentalist did not let it happen. “Now the bill has been passed from the Governor to the President of India, so the MPs of the State should work to convince the President,” he said.
He said that he has understood the problems of the district through Grama Vasthavya. “Now I will try my level best to solve those problems,” he added.