Bisen, 74, was taking a stroll with his grandson at his Seoni home when a call from Bhopal informed him he was to become Uttarakhand Governor, and the house erupted into cheers as family and friends rushed in.
Born 14 May 1952 in Pipariya village, Bisen rose from village panch to a multi‑term BJP MLA in Barghat before holding state cabinet portfolios for forests, transport and minerals from 2003 to 2005. He chaired the fourth State Finance Commission (2011‑13) and won the Balaghat Lok Sabha seat in 2019, where he logged a 99% attendance record, spoke in 73 debates and filed 189 questions.
President Droupadi Murmu announced the appointment, making him one of six new governors the president has sworn in that week. He will succeed retired Lt Gen Gurmit Singh at Lok Bhavan in Dehradun.
The appointment is seen as a nod to Bisen’s experience in rural development and tribal welfare, and local residents in Seoni said the news was a proud moment for the town that has long backed his political career.