| P. C. Alexander | |
|---|---|
| Governor of Maharashtra | |
| In office 12 January 1993 – 13 July 2002 |
|
| Preceded by | C Subramaniam |
| Succeeded by | Mohammed Fazal |
| Governor of Tamil Nadu | |
| In office 17 February 1988 – 24 May 1990 |
|
| Preceded by | Sundar Lal Khurana |
| Succeeded by | Sardar Surjit Singh Barnala |
| Governor of Goa | |
| In office 19 July 1996 – 15 January 1998 |
|
| Preceded by | Romesh Bhandari |
| Succeeded by | T. R. Satish Chandran |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 March 1921 Kerala, India |
| Died | 10 August 2011 (aged 90) Chennai, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Alma mater | University of Kerala Annamalai University |
| Profession | Civil Servant Politician Administrator |
| Religion | Christian, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church |
Padinjarethalakal Cherian Alexander of Mavelikkera, India (20 March 1921 – 10 August 2011) was an Indian politician and civil servant who served as the Governor of Tamil Nadu from 1988 to 1990 and as the Governor of Maharashtra from 1993 to 2002. He was considered as a candidate for the post of the President of India in 2002. During his time in Maharashtra, he had additional charge of Goa from 1996 to 1998. He was also a member of the Rajya Sabha representing Maharashtra as an independent candidate from 29 July 2002 to 2 April 2008.[1]
His career included extended stints with the United Nations and India's Ministry of Commerce and his high profile appointment as the powerful Principal Secretary for former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He also served as the Indian High Commissioner to the Court of St. James's.
His autobiography is Through the Corridors of Power. His other works include My years with Indira Gandhi, The Perils of Democracy, and India in the New Millenium.[2]
Alexander was undergoing treatment at the Madras Medical Mission Hospital for cancer. He used to be hospitalised and discharged frequently. Alexander, 90, died at the Madras Medical Mission Hospital, Chennai, on 10 August 2011. The body was flown to Kochi buried at St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral Church at his home town Mavelikara in Alappuzha district.
P. C. Alexander was a former principal secretary to prime minister Indira Gandhi who had also served under her son Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi briefly. Alexander started his career as a civil servant in 1948 and held several high positions. He also involved himself in public life. Alexander was the principal secretary to Indira Gandhi and virtually served as her shadow and policy adviser for the years after her return to power in January 1980. He briefly served Rajiv Gandhi but the latter was not very comfortable with his paternal style and had him replaced. He was sent as India's high commissioner to the United Kingdom. A former civil servant, Alexander was invited by Indira Gandhi to become her principal secretary when he was serving at the United Nations.
He became the governor of Tamil Nadu in 1988, holding the post till 1990. He served as the Maharashtra governor in 1993-2002. He quit the post in disgust after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) first proposed his name for presidency but then opted for APJ Abdul Kalam. Alexander was also a former member of the Rajya Sabha and continued to take a keen interest in national affairs till some time ago.
Alexander's autobiography "Through the Corridors of Power" gives a ringside view of the government's functioning. He also wrote another book "My Years with Indira Gandhi", which records the history and politics of the times.
Alexander is survived by his widow Ackamma Alexander, 88, and four children.