He joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), left his job without getting married, and returned to public life as a full-time activist.

[8] Ganesan's comments on protests started by locals against extraction of hydrocarbons at Neduvasal village in Tamil Nadu became controversial when he said, "There is nothing wrong in sacrificing a state for the welfare of the country.

He was administered the oath of office by Honourable Chief Justice of Manipur High Court PV Sanjay Kumar.

[12][6] On 18 July 2022, Ganesan assumed the office of Governor of West Bengal, after Jagdeep Dhankhar was nominated as vice-presidential candidate by the National Democratic Alliance coalition.

[13] Ganesan received backlash for pushing Indian footballer Sunil Chhetri out of a photo op during the presentation ceremony of 2022 Durand Cup.