Know your cabinet - 16th Lok Sabha
Narendra Modi:
A four-time chief minister of Gujarat who single-handedly delivered majority to the BJP in the general elections 2014. He is known for dynamic leadership, innovative thinking and swift action. Born in 1950, into an economically backward family, Modi finished schooling in his hometown Vadnagar and married Jashodaben at the age of 18. The marriage did not last long(Modi's biographer Nilanjan claims it was never consummated) and Modi roamed around the country for two years before he came to Ahmedabad where he worked in his uncle's tea stall and the staff canteen in GSRTC. At the age of 20, he got seriously involved with RSS and with its help, completed masters in political science. He then slowly rose through BJP ranks and and in 2001, when the then Gujarat's CM Kesubhai Patel stood down due to ill health, Narendra Modi became the CM of Gujarat. Since then, he has ruled the state with iron fists for almost 13 long years before he resigned in 2014 after he became the PM designate.
Constituency: Varanasi and Vadodara(may give up this constituency)
Achievements: The Gujarat model which is development-centric has improved the living standards of the middle-class people
Controversies: The 2002 riots which witnessed almost 2500 deaths.
Portfolio: Prime minister of India
Rajnath Singh:
Born into a family of farmers in a small village in UP, Rajnath Singh graduated in physics and worked as a teacher/lecturer when he came in touch with the RSS. In over 40 years of association with the BJP, he has held various positions, both in the organisation(UP pres of youth wing, National president of youth wing, Party president) and in various governments(Education minister and CM).
Constituency: Lucknow, UP
Achievements: Anti-copying law(which made copying non-bailable offence), Introducing Vedic maths into schools, Kissan call centre.
Controversies: Minor corruption charges, Conflict of interest charges
Portfolio: Home
Sushma Swaraj:
Seen as a close aide of L.K. Advani, Sushma Swaraj joined the Janata party in the 1970's. Like Rajnath, she has also held various posts including the chief minister of Delhi, leader of opposition and union minister. In 1979, she became the youngest cabinet minister. An advocate by profession, she is also a good orator and was the first woman spokesperson for a national party.
Constituency: Vidisha, MP
Achievements: Her contributions to cultural field, be it Hindi poetry, dance and singing has been held high.
Controversies: Her close relationship with the RSS and Advani has had her critics calling her to be right wing.
Portfolio: External affairs
Arun Jaitley:
A master strategist, a high-profile supreme court lawyer and a thoughtful economist, Arun Jaitley has been associated with the BJP since his college days. He also is an excellent orator who has served as the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha apart from serving in various BJP governments as union minister, MoS and solicitor.
Constituency: Rajya sabha MP from Gujarat
Achievements: In transforming Gujarat model into a campaign strategy(which helped BJP win a lots of states), bringing into effect 84th and 91st amendments.
Controversies: Recent comments about Baba Ramdev and his suspected allegiance to Hindu nationalism
Portfolio: Finance and Defence.
Venkaiah Naidu:
Like most senior leaders in BJP, Naidu has been associated with the RSS since his school days and has held various posts in the party at both state level and national level. In Vajpayee's cabinet, he served as a rural development minister.
Constituency: Rajya sabha MP from Karnataka
Achievements: Along with Gadkari introduced schemes like Pradhan mantri gram sadak yojana which addresses major issues on rural infrastructure development front.
Controversies: Minor corruption charges. Seen as a loose mouth.
Portfolio: Urban development, Parliamentary affairs
Nitin Gadkari:
Like a lot of the senior members of BJP, Gadkari is also a lawyer by profession. he has held the post of party president and has worked in both state governments and at the center as a cabinet minister. He is also called a flyovers man for his contribution in the construction of many flyovers.
Constituency: Nagpur, Maharastra
Achievements: Pradhan mantri gram sadak yojana
Controversies: Involvement in Land scams, murder charges.
Portfolio: Road transport, highways and shipping
D.V. Sadananda Gowda:
This former chief minister of Karnataka is also not-surprisingly a lawyer by profession.
Constituency: Bangalore North, Karnataka
Achievements: Spearheaded Karnataka guarantee of services to citizens act. Has served long in the banking sector and has worked for labour welfare
Controversies: Illegal land acquisitions
Portfolio: Railways
Uma Bharti:
Probably the most controversial leader in the BJP after Advani, Uma Bharti served as the CM of Madhya pradesh for less than a year. She was forced to resign after she was indicted in 2004 for the 1994 Hubli riots issue. A vocal supporter of Ram Janmabhoomi, she is also seen as right-wing.
Constituency: Jhansi, MP
Achievements: Been an advocate of cleanliness and sanitation.
Controversies: Association with Ram Janmabhoomi movement
Portfolio: Water resources, Ganga Rejuvenation
Dr. Najma Heptulla:
The oldest minister in Modi's cabinet, Najma is an academic who has written
extensively on environmental issues and women safety. She has also been vocal about population control.
Constituency: Rajya sabha MP from MP
Achievements: Has spearheaded AIDS prevention and has authored book on the topic.
Controversies: She is an INC defector
Portfolio: Minority affairs
Gopinath Munde:
His brother in law, Pramod Mahajan, introduced Gopinath Munde into politics in the 1970's. From there, he rose to the post of Deputy CM of Maharastra 1995.
Constituency: Beed, Maharastra
Controversies: Poll expenses controversy. He allegedly spent 8 crore rupees during LS polls in 2009.
Portfolio: Rural development
Ram Vilas Paswan:
Paswan, one of the prominent dalit faces in Indian politics gained recognition for standing up against emergency in 1975. He was jailed for the entire duration of the emergency and joined the Janata party when he got released. Since then, he has formed LJP, forged an alliance with INC in 2004, formed a fourth front in 2009 before he has joined hands with BJP in 2014. He has served as railway minister among other ministries and is credited with bringing positive changes to the railway system.
Constituency: Hajipur, Bihar
Achievements: His works as a railway minister
Controversies: Seen as an opportunist who will abandon ship the moment it hits an iceberg.
Portfolio: Food and civil supplies
Kalraj Mishra:
He is a close associate of Jayaprakash Narayan and has served as a minister in the UP government between 1997-2000 and has held various portfolios. This is his debut at the centre. (I have not read much about this man. Will update more when I do.)
Constituency: Deoria, UP.
Achievements: He is credited with Dindayal road link scheme under which many link roads were constructed.
Portfolio: Small and medium enterprises
Maneka Gandhi:
The mother Gandhi of BJP, the second daughter in law of Indira Gandhi, the wife of Sanjay Gandhi, Maneka gandhi
Constituency: Pilibhit, UP.
Achievements: She has done a lot of work for animal welfare and her role as environment and forests minister enabled her to bring more meaner laws like Coastal Zone regulation act to protect the environment and animals.
Controversies: She drew heavy criticism for publishing compromising photos Jagjivan ram's son and an university student.
Portfolio: Women and child Development
Ananth Kumar:
The six-time MP from the Bangalore south constituency, Ananth kumar, has served as a civil aviation minister in AB Vajpayee's government. Along with the then CM of karnataka, SM Krishna, it was Ananth kumar who conceptualized Bangalore metro and BIAS. Reports also confirm that he spends over 90% of the budget allocated to his constituency on health care and infrastructure.
Constituency: Bangalore south, Karnataka.
Achievements: He is credited with VAMBAY a scheme to build homes for slum dwellers.
Controversies: Major corruption charges including HUDCO scam(14,500 crores), Nira Radia tapes controversy.
Portfolio: Chemical and fertilizers
Ravi Shankar Prasad:
Another lawyer in the BJP cadre who has appeared in many high profile cases as senior advocate in the supreme court, the latest being the long pending Ayodya title suit. A great orator, Prasad has been the chief spokesman of BJP since 2006.
Constituency: Rajya Sabha MP from Bihar.
Achievements: Turn around of fortunes of coal companies when he was coal minister. Was instrumental in bringing representation of people's act and changing evidence act in rape cases for swifter justice to victims.
Portfolio: Law and Telecom
Ashok Gajapati Raju:
A seven-time MLA from Andhra Pradesh, Ashok Raju was born into a royal family known for its philanthropic activities. It is said that Ashok's father donated all of his properties to an educational trust and Ashok himself has donated land to educational institutions and the poor. He has served in NTR's cabinet.
Constituency: Vizianagaram, Seemandra.
Achievements: His tenure as finance minister under Chandra Babu Naidu revived the fortunes of Hyderabad.
Portfolio: Civil aviation
Anant Geete:
A six-time MP and a shiv sena loyalist, Anant Geete has served as energy minister in the previous NDA governement.
Constituency: Raigad, Maharastra.
Portfolio: Heavy industries
Harsimrat Kaur Badal:
Daughter in law of Punjab CM Prakash Singh Badal, Harsimrat came into the national political scenario in 2009. A proven social worker, she rode on the back of her strong political background to win a seat in the LS elections in 2009.
Constituency: Bhatinda, Punjab
Achievements: She heads Nani Chaan - a social movement to save girl children.
Controversies: Her family had major corruption charges until 2011 when they were all acquitted.
Portfolio: Food processing
Narendra Singh Tomar:
The state president of MP, Mr. Tomar has served in various ranks in the party at the state level and has also been a cabinet minister between 2003 -2007 in the state government. He is credited with the success of BJP in MP both in the assembly elections(BJP has been in power in the state since 2003) and LS elections.
Constituency: Gwalior, MP
Portfolio: Mines, steel, labour and employment
Jual Oram:
The face of BJP is Odisha, Jual Oram comes from a poor family and has served as tribal affairs minister in the previous NDA government. He is known to be a keen lover of tribal culture and traditions and has worked towards the preservation of indigenous life in tribal dominated areas.
Constituency: Sudargarh, Odisha
Achievements: Preservation of tribal culture
Controversies: He is seen as anti-development for opposing an iron ore mine in Khandadhar belt. He claimed that the mine would destroy the tribal culture.
Portfolio: Tribal affairs
Radha Mohan Singh:
Seen as an organisational man, Radha Mohan singh has been credited with BJP's growth in the state. He has been previously elected to the LS three times and is said to be a clean politician.
Constituency: Purvi Champaran, Bihar
Achievements: Growth of the party in Bihar
Portfolio: Agriculture
Thawar Chand Gehlot:
A four-time MP from Shajapur, MP, Thawar was seen as some who fights for the underprivileged. Belonging to an SC family, he is well aware of the problems the SC/ST face.
Constituency: Rajya Sabha MP from MP
Achievements: Has carried out works to improve the standard of living of the underprivileged
Controversies: Claimed to rely on vote-bank politics
Portfolio: Social justice and empowerment
Smriti Irani:
At 38, Smriti is the youngest member in the Modi cabinet. She has been associated with the BJP for over a decade and has been its spokeswoman for sometime. She has no administrative experience and seems to have been awarded a cabinet berth for putting up a tough fight against Rahul Gandhi. Apart from that, she is also a close aide of Modi and an advocate of capital punishment for rape convicts.
Constituency: Amethi, UP
Achievements: Been vocal about women safety.
Portfolio: HRD
Dr. Harsh Vardhan:
A doctor by profession, Harsh Vardhan was the BJP's chief ministerial candidate for the Delhi assembly elections in 2013. He also served as a Health minister in the state government between 1993-1998 and is held high for his achievements during this tenure in eradicating Polio.
Constituency: Chandni Chowk, Delhi
Achievements: Pioneer of the Pulse polio program in 1994 which began Polio eradication movement in India
Controversies: Rape allegations from 1996.
Portfolio: Health and Family welfare
A four-time chief minister of Gujarat who single-handedly delivered majority to the BJP in the general elections 2014. He is known for dynamic leadership, innovative thinking and swift action. Born in 1950, into an economically backward family, Modi finished schooling in his hometown Vadnagar and married Jashodaben at the age of 18. The marriage did not last long(Modi's biographer Nilanjan claims it was never consummated) and Modi roamed around the country for two years before he came to Ahmedabad where he worked in his uncle's tea stall and the staff canteen in GSRTC. At the age of 20, he got seriously involved with RSS and with its help, completed masters in political science. He then slowly rose through BJP ranks and and in 2001, when the then Gujarat's CM Kesubhai Patel stood down due to ill health, Narendra Modi became the CM of Gujarat. Since then, he has ruled the state with iron fists for almost 13 long years before he resigned in 2014 after he became the PM designate.
Constituency: Varanasi and Vadodara(may give up this constituency)
Achievements: The Gujarat model which is development-centric has improved the living standards of the middle-class people
Controversies: The 2002 riots which witnessed almost 2500 deaths.
Portfolio: Prime minister of India
Rajnath Singh:
Born into a family of farmers in a small village in UP, Rajnath Singh graduated in physics and worked as a teacher/lecturer when he came in touch with the RSS. In over 40 years of association with the BJP, he has held various positions, both in the organisation(UP pres of youth wing, National president of youth wing, Party president) and in various governments(Education minister and CM).
Constituency: Lucknow, UP
Achievements: Anti-copying law(which made copying non-bailable offence), Introducing Vedic maths into schools, Kissan call centre.
Controversies: Minor corruption charges, Conflict of interest charges
Portfolio: Home
Sushma Swaraj:
Seen as a close aide of L.K. Advani, Sushma Swaraj joined the Janata party in the 1970's. Like Rajnath, she has also held various posts including the chief minister of Delhi, leader of opposition and union minister. In 1979, she became the youngest cabinet minister. An advocate by profession, she is also a good orator and was the first woman spokesperson for a national party.
Constituency: Vidisha, MP
Achievements: Her contributions to cultural field, be it Hindi poetry, dance and singing has been held high.
Controversies: Her close relationship with the RSS and Advani has had her critics calling her to be right wing.
Portfolio: External affairs
Arun Jaitley:
A master strategist, a high-profile supreme court lawyer and a thoughtful economist, Arun Jaitley has been associated with the BJP since his college days. He also is an excellent orator who has served as the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha apart from serving in various BJP governments as union minister, MoS and solicitor.
Constituency: Rajya sabha MP from Gujarat
Achievements: In transforming Gujarat model into a campaign strategy(which helped BJP win a lots of states), bringing into effect 84th and 91st amendments.
Controversies: Recent comments about Baba Ramdev and his suspected allegiance to Hindu nationalism
Portfolio: Finance and Defence.
Venkaiah Naidu:
Like most senior leaders in BJP, Naidu has been associated with the RSS since his school days and has held various posts in the party at both state level and national level. In Vajpayee's cabinet, he served as a rural development minister.
Constituency: Rajya sabha MP from Karnataka
Achievements: Along with Gadkari introduced schemes like Pradhan mantri gram sadak yojana which addresses major issues on rural infrastructure development front.
Controversies: Minor corruption charges. Seen as a loose mouth.
Portfolio: Urban development, Parliamentary affairs
Nitin Gadkari:
Like a lot of the senior members of BJP, Gadkari is also a lawyer by profession. he has held the post of party president and has worked in both state governments and at the center as a cabinet minister. He is also called a flyovers man for his contribution in the construction of many flyovers.
Constituency: Nagpur, Maharastra
Achievements: Pradhan mantri gram sadak yojana
Controversies: Involvement in Land scams, murder charges.
Portfolio: Road transport, highways and shipping
D.V. Sadananda Gowda:
This former chief minister of Karnataka is also not-surprisingly a lawyer by profession.
Constituency: Bangalore North, Karnataka
Achievements: Spearheaded Karnataka guarantee of services to citizens act. Has served long in the banking sector and has worked for labour welfare
Controversies: Illegal land acquisitions
Portfolio: Railways
Uma Bharti:
Probably the most controversial leader in the BJP after Advani, Uma Bharti served as the CM of Madhya pradesh for less than a year. She was forced to resign after she was indicted in 2004 for the 1994 Hubli riots issue. A vocal supporter of Ram Janmabhoomi, she is also seen as right-wing.
Constituency: Jhansi, MP
Achievements: Been an advocate of cleanliness and sanitation.
Controversies: Association with Ram Janmabhoomi movement
Portfolio: Water resources, Ganga Rejuvenation
Dr. Najma Heptulla:
The oldest minister in Modi's cabinet, Najma is an academic who has written
extensively on environmental issues and women safety. She has also been vocal about population control.
Constituency: Rajya sabha MP from MP
Achievements: Has spearheaded AIDS prevention and has authored book on the topic.
Controversies: She is an INC defector
Portfolio: Minority affairs
Gopinath Munde:
His brother in law, Pramod Mahajan, introduced Gopinath Munde into politics in the 1970's. From there, he rose to the post of Deputy CM of Maharastra 1995.
Constituency: Beed, Maharastra
Controversies: Poll expenses controversy. He allegedly spent 8 crore rupees during LS polls in 2009.
Portfolio: Rural development
Ram Vilas Paswan:
Paswan, one of the prominent dalit faces in Indian politics gained recognition for standing up against emergency in 1975. He was jailed for the entire duration of the emergency and joined the Janata party when he got released. Since then, he has formed LJP, forged an alliance with INC in 2004, formed a fourth front in 2009 before he has joined hands with BJP in 2014. He has served as railway minister among other ministries and is credited with bringing positive changes to the railway system.
Constituency: Hajipur, Bihar
Achievements: His works as a railway minister
Controversies: Seen as an opportunist who will abandon ship the moment it hits an iceberg.
Portfolio: Food and civil supplies
Kalraj Mishra:
He is a close associate of Jayaprakash Narayan and has served as a minister in the UP government between 1997-2000 and has held various portfolios. This is his debut at the centre. (I have not read much about this man. Will update more when I do.)
Constituency: Deoria, UP.
Achievements: He is credited with Dindayal road link scheme under which many link roads were constructed.
Portfolio: Small and medium enterprises
Maneka Gandhi:
The mother Gandhi of BJP, the second daughter in law of Indira Gandhi, the wife of Sanjay Gandhi, Maneka gandhi
Constituency: Pilibhit, UP.
Achievements: She has done a lot of work for animal welfare and her role as environment and forests minister enabled her to bring more meaner laws like Coastal Zone regulation act to protect the environment and animals.
Controversies: She drew heavy criticism for publishing compromising photos Jagjivan ram's son and an university student.
Portfolio: Women and child Development
Ananth Kumar:
The six-time MP from the Bangalore south constituency, Ananth kumar, has served as a civil aviation minister in AB Vajpayee's government. Along with the then CM of karnataka, SM Krishna, it was Ananth kumar who conceptualized Bangalore metro and BIAS. Reports also confirm that he spends over 90% of the budget allocated to his constituency on health care and infrastructure.
Constituency: Bangalore south, Karnataka.
Achievements: He is credited with VAMBAY a scheme to build homes for slum dwellers.
Controversies: Major corruption charges including HUDCO scam(14,500 crores), Nira Radia tapes controversy.
Portfolio: Chemical and fertilizers
Ravi Shankar Prasad:
Another lawyer in the BJP cadre who has appeared in many high profile cases as senior advocate in the supreme court, the latest being the long pending Ayodya title suit. A great orator, Prasad has been the chief spokesman of BJP since 2006.
Constituency: Rajya Sabha MP from Bihar.
Achievements: Turn around of fortunes of coal companies when he was coal minister. Was instrumental in bringing representation of people's act and changing evidence act in rape cases for swifter justice to victims.
Portfolio: Law and Telecom
Ashok Gajapati Raju:
A seven-time MLA from Andhra Pradesh, Ashok Raju was born into a royal family known for its philanthropic activities. It is said that Ashok's father donated all of his properties to an educational trust and Ashok himself has donated land to educational institutions and the poor. He has served in NTR's cabinet.
Constituency: Vizianagaram, Seemandra.
Achievements: His tenure as finance minister under Chandra Babu Naidu revived the fortunes of Hyderabad.
Portfolio: Civil aviation
Anant Geete:
A six-time MP and a shiv sena loyalist, Anant Geete has served as energy minister in the previous NDA governement.
Constituency: Raigad, Maharastra.
Portfolio: Heavy industries
Harsimrat Kaur Badal:
Daughter in law of Punjab CM Prakash Singh Badal, Harsimrat came into the national political scenario in 2009. A proven social worker, she rode on the back of her strong political background to win a seat in the LS elections in 2009.
Constituency: Bhatinda, Punjab
Achievements: She heads Nani Chaan - a social movement to save girl children.
Controversies: Her family had major corruption charges until 2011 when they were all acquitted.
Portfolio: Food processing
Narendra Singh Tomar:
The state president of MP, Mr. Tomar has served in various ranks in the party at the state level and has also been a cabinet minister between 2003 -2007 in the state government. He is credited with the success of BJP in MP both in the assembly elections(BJP has been in power in the state since 2003) and LS elections.
Constituency: Gwalior, MP
Portfolio: Mines, steel, labour and employment
Jual Oram:
The face of BJP is Odisha, Jual Oram comes from a poor family and has served as tribal affairs minister in the previous NDA government. He is known to be a keen lover of tribal culture and traditions and has worked towards the preservation of indigenous life in tribal dominated areas.
Constituency: Sudargarh, Odisha
Achievements: Preservation of tribal culture
Controversies: He is seen as anti-development for opposing an iron ore mine in Khandadhar belt. He claimed that the mine would destroy the tribal culture.
Portfolio: Tribal affairs
Radha Mohan Singh:
Seen as an organisational man, Radha Mohan singh has been credited with BJP's growth in the state. He has been previously elected to the LS three times and is said to be a clean politician.
Constituency: Purvi Champaran, Bihar
Achievements: Growth of the party in Bihar
Portfolio: Agriculture
Thawar Chand Gehlot:
A four-time MP from Shajapur, MP, Thawar was seen as some who fights for the underprivileged. Belonging to an SC family, he is well aware of the problems the SC/ST face.
Constituency: Rajya Sabha MP from MP
Achievements: Has carried out works to improve the standard of living of the underprivileged
Controversies: Claimed to rely on vote-bank politics
Portfolio: Social justice and empowerment
Smriti Irani:
At 38, Smriti is the youngest member in the Modi cabinet. She has been associated with the BJP for over a decade and has been its spokeswoman for sometime. She has no administrative experience and seems to have been awarded a cabinet berth for putting up a tough fight against Rahul Gandhi. Apart from that, she is also a close aide of Modi and an advocate of capital punishment for rape convicts.
Constituency: Amethi, UP
Achievements: Been vocal about women safety.
Portfolio: HRD
Dr. Harsh Vardhan:
A doctor by profession, Harsh Vardhan was the BJP's chief ministerial candidate for the Delhi assembly elections in 2013. He also served as a Health minister in the state government between 1993-1998 and is held high for his achievements during this tenure in eradicating Polio.
Constituency: Chandni Chowk, Delhi
Achievements: Pioneer of the Pulse polio program in 1994 which began Polio eradication movement in India
Controversies: Rape allegations from 1996.
Portfolio: Health and Family welfare
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