Mandepanda Poovaiah Appachu Ranjan (born 11 September 1957) is an Indian politician who was the former Minister for Youth Services and Sports in Karnataka,[1] a state in Southern India.

Appachu Ranjan was born on 11 September 1957 in a village called Chembebellur in Virajpet Taluk of Kodagu district.

He held various posts over the years amassing immense experience in the field of managing Co-operative and Agricultural organizations.

Ranjan's major foray into politics came in 1980 when he was elected president of the BJP youth wing in Madapur.

of Karnataka to stay in forest-covered areas and remote villages to understand and solve the issues of people living in highly backward regions.

In its 287-page report tabled in the House, the panel headed by him recommended suspension of Rahim Khan, Kakaso Panduranga Patil, U T Khader, N A Haris, (all Congress) B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, H C Balakrishna, C S Puttaraju, M T Krishnappa (all JD-S) for one year.

He was inducted into Jagadish Shettar's cabinet as Minister for Youth Services and Sports on 12 July 2012.

As District Incharge Minister of Kodagu, his top priority was in Health, Education, Road & Transports, House for the Homeless and Environment.