Politician Profile

Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati

Date of Birth June 15, 1953

Political Party Not available

Position / Role Governer

Biography

Dr. Kambhampati Hari Babu (born 15 June 1953) is an Indian politician and academic who is currently serving as the 28th Governor of Odisha since 3 January 2025.

He is a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has played a significant role in Andhra Pradesh politics. Notably, he became the first president of BJP in bifurcated Andhra Pradesh after the state division in 2014.

Before becoming Governor of Odisha, he served as the Governor of Mizoram, making him the first Telugu person to hold that position.

Hari Babu also served as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the 16th Lok Sabha from the Visakhapatnam constituency, winning the 2014 general election.

Early Life & Education

Kambhampati Hari Babu was born in Thimmasamudram, Prakasam district (present-day Andhra Pradesh).

He moved to Visakhapatnam for higher education and completed:

B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering

M.Tech

PhD

from Andhra University.

He later joined Andhra University as a faculty member and worked as an Associate Professor before voluntarily retiring in 1993 to enter active politics.

Career Timeline

Early Political Activities

1972–1973 – Served as Secretary of Students' Union, Andhra University Engineering College

Participated in Jai Andhra Movement as a student leader

Worked with leaders like Tenneti Viswanadham, Gouthu Latchanna, and Venkaiah Naidu

Emergency Period

1974–1975 – Participated in Lok Sangharsh Samithi agitation led by Jayaprakash Narayan

Arrested under MISA and jailed for 6 months

Party Roles & Growth

1977 – Member, Andhra Pradesh State Executive Committee (Janata Party)

1978 – Vice President, AP State Janata Yuva Morcha

1991–1993 – Member, BJP Andhra Pradesh State Executive Committee

1993–2003 – General Secretary, BJP Andhra Pradesh

Legislative & Parliamentary Career

1999–2004 – Member of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly (Visakhapatnam-I)

2003 – Floor Leader, BJP Legislature Party (AP)

National Politics

2014–2019 – Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Visakhapatnam

Won 2014 election with 90,488 vote margin

Party Leadership

2014–2018 – President, BJP Andhra Pradesh

First president after state bifurcation

Governorship Roles

19 July 2021 – 2025 – Governor of Mizoram (multiple terms/phases)

24 December 2024 – Appointed as Governor of Odisha

3 January 2025 – Present – Governor of Odisha (Incumbent)

Electoral History (Summary)

1999 – Won MLA election (Visakhapatnam-I)

2004 – Lost MLA election

2014 – Won Lok Sabha election (Visakhapatnam)

Development Work & Contributions

As an MP, Hari Babu focused on:

Education & School Infrastructure (toilets, furniture)

Drinking Water Facilities

Healthcare Development

Skill Development Programs

He promoted transparency in the use of MPLADS funds and launched initiatives like:

“One MP – One Idea” contest to encourage public participation

Key Personal Details

Date of Birth: 15 June 1953

Age: 72 (as of 2025)

Birthplace: Thimmasamudram, Andhra Pradesh

Party: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

Spouse: Kambhampati Jayasree

Father: Venkateswarulu

Mother: Seethamma

Education: B.Tech, M.Tech, PhD (Andhra University)

Related Coverage

Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati

Biography

Career Timeline

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