Modi Ministry
A minister is a politician who holds significant public office .
1. Narendra Modi
Prime Minister and also in-charge of the Ministries/Departments not specifically allocated to the charge of any Minister Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Atomic Energy Department of Space
Narendra Damodardas Modi (born 17 September 1950) is the 15th and the current Prime Minister of India. Modi, a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), also served as Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014. Modi was a key strategist for the BJP in the successful 1995 and 1998 Gujarat state election campaigns. He became Chief Minister of Gujarat in October 2001 and served longer by far in that position than anyone else to date. He was a major campaign figure in the 2009 general election, which the BJP led National Democratic Alliance lost to the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA). He led the BJP in the April May 2014 general election, which resulted in a majority for the BJP in the Lok Sabha, first time any party has done so since 1984. Modi is a Hindu Nationalist and a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).He is a controversial figure both within India as well as internationally as his administration has been criticised for the incidents surrounding the 2002 Gujarat riots. He has been praised for his economic policies, which are credited with creating an environment for a high rate of economic growth in Gujarat. However, his administration has also been criticised for failing to make a significant positive impact upon the human development of the state.Narendra Modi was sworn in as prime minister on 26 May 2014 at the Rastrapati Bhavan. He is Indias first prime minister born after the countrys independence. In a first of its kind, Modi invited all SAARC leaders to attend his swearing-in ceremony;the attendees included Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif,Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa, Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, Maldives president President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and speaker of Bangladesh Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam of Mauritius (SAARC observer)Narendra Modi contested the election from two constituencies: Varanasi and Vadodara. His candidacy was supported by spiritual leaders Ramdev and Morari Bapu, and by economists Jagdish Bhagwati and Arvind Panagariya, who have stated that they, ...are impressed by Modis economics. His detractors included Nobel Prize laureate economist Amartya Sen, who said that he did not want Modi as a Prime Minister because he had not done enough to make minorities feel safe, and that under Modi, Gujarats record in health and education provision has been pretty bad.Modi won from both seats he contested; defeating Arvind Kejriwal, leader of the Aam Aadmi Party, in Varanasi and Madhusudan Mistry of the Indian National Congress in Vadodara (by a margin of 5,70,128 votes, the second highest ever). He led the BJP-led NDA to a decisive victory in the general elections in which the ruling Indian National Congress suffered its worst ever defeat. Modi was unanimously elected as the leader of the BJP parliamentary party following his partys victory in the Indian parliamentary elections and was subsequently appointed the prime minister by Indias president. To comply with the rule that a MP can not hold two constituencies, Modi vacated the Vadodara seat.
Narendra Damodardas Modi (born 17 September 1950) is the 15th and the current Prime Minister of India. Modi, a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), also served as Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014. Modi was a key strategist for the BJP in the successful 1995 and 1998 Gujarat state election campaigns. He became Chief Minister of Gujarat in October 2001 and served longer by far in that position than anyone else to date. He was a major campaign figure in the 2009 general election, which the BJP led National Democratic Alliance lost to the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA). He led the BJP in the April May 2014 general election, which resulted in a majority for the BJP in the Lok Sabha, first time any party has done so since 1984. Modi is a Hindu Nationalist and a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).He is a controversial figure both within India as well as internationally as his administration has been criticised for the incidents surrounding the 2002 Gujarat riots. He has been praised for his economic policies, which are credited with creating an environment for a high rate of economic growth in Gujarat. However, his administration has also been criticised for failing to make a significant positive impact upon the human development of the state.Narendra Modi was sworn in as prime minister on 26 May 2014 at the Rastrapati Bhavan. He is Indias first prime minister born after the countrys independence. In a first of its kind, Modi invited all SAARC leaders to attend his swearing-in ceremony;the attendees included Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif,Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa, Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, Maldives president President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and speaker of Bangladesh Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam of Mauritius (SAARC observer)Narendra Modi contested the election from two constituencies: Varanasi and Vadodara. His candidacy was supported by spiritual leaders Ramdev and Morari Bapu, and by economists Jagdish Bhagwati and Arvind Panagariya, who have stated that they, ...are impressed by Modis economics. His detractors included Nobel Prize laureate economist Amartya Sen, who said that he did not want Modi as a Prime Minister because he had not done enough to make minorities feel safe, and that under Modi, Gujarats record in health and education provision has been pretty bad.Modi won from both seats he contested; defeating Arvind Kejriwal, leader of the Aam Aadmi Party, in Varanasi and Madhusudan Mistry of the Indian National Congress in Vadodara (by a margin of 5,70,128 votes, the second highest ever). He led the BJP-led NDA to a decisive victory in the general elections in which the ruling Indian National Congress suffered its worst ever defeat. Modi was unanimously elected as the leader of the BJP parliamentary party following his partys victory in the Indian parliamentary elections and was subsequently appointed the prime minister by Indias president. To comply with the rule that a MP can not hold two constituencies, Modi vacated the Vadodara seat.
2. Rajnath Singh
Home Affairs
Rajnath Singh (born 10 July 1951) is an Indian politician who currently serves as the Union Minister of Home Affairs in the Narendra Modi government. He previously served as the Chief Minister of the state of Uttar Pradesh and as a Cabinet Minister in the Vajpayee Government. He began his career as a physics lecturer and used his long-term connections with the nationalist organisation, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to become involved with the Janata Party. He also serves as the president of Bharatiya Janata Party .He contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow constituency and was subsequently elected as a Member of the Indian Parliament. He was appointed as the Union Minister of Home Affairs in the Narendra Modi government and was sworn in on 26 May 2014.
Rajnath Singh (born 10 July 1951) is an Indian politician who currently serves as the Union Minister of Home Affairs in the Narendra Modi government. He previously served as the Chief Minister of the state of Uttar Pradesh and as a Cabinet Minister in the Vajpayee Government. He began his career as a physics lecturer and used his long-term connections with the nationalist organisation, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to become involved with the Janata Party. He also serves as the president of Bharatiya Janata Party .He contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow constituency and was subsequently elected as a Member of the Indian Parliament. He was appointed as the Union Minister of Home Affairs in the Narendra Modi government and was sworn in on 26 May 2014.
3. Sushma Swaraj
External Affairs, Overseas Indian Affairs
Sushma Swaraj (born 14 February 1952) is an Indian politician and the current Minister of External Affairs in the Union of India. She is the second woman to be Indias external affairs minister, first being the late Indira Gandhi (22 August 1967 to 14 March 1969). She has been elected seven times as a Member of Parliament and three times as a Member of the Legislative Assembly. At the age of 25, she became Haryanas youngest Cabinet Minister and has also served as Chief Minister of Delhi.[1] In Indian general election, 2014, she won from Vidisha constituency in Madhya Pradesh. She became the External Affairs Minister in union cabinet on 26 May 2014.26 May 2014 External Affairs Minister in the Union of India.
Sushma Swaraj (born 14 February 1952) is an Indian politician and the current Minister of External Affairs in the Union of India. She is the second woman to be Indias external affairs minister, first being the late Indira Gandhi (22 August 1967 to 14 March 1969). She has been elected seven times as a Member of Parliament and three times as a Member of the Legislative Assembly. At the age of 25, she became Haryanas youngest Cabinet Minister and has also served as Chief Minister of Delhi.[1] In Indian general election, 2014, she won from Vidisha constituency in Madhya Pradesh. She became the External Affairs Minister in union cabinet on 26 May 2014.26 May 2014 External Affairs Minister in the Union of India.
4. Arun Jaitley
Finance, Corporate Affairs, Defence
Arun Jaitley (born 28 December 1952) is currently the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Defence of the Union cabinet of India in the 16th Lok Sabha. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He has also previously held the portfolios as the Union cabinet Minister for Commerce and Industry, Law and Justice in the National Democratic Alliance government (1998-2004). In the 2014 general election, he unsuccessfully contested as Bharatiya Janata Partys candidate for Amritsar, where he was defeated by Indian National Congress candidate, Captain Amarinder Singh.He is currently a Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat (as of March 2006). He was chosen as the Leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha on June 3, 2009 by L.K. Advani. On June 16, 2009 he resigned from the post of General Secretary of BJP as per his partys One Man One Post principle. He is also a member of the Central Election Committee of the party. In his capacity as the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, he has been credited for his excellent oratory skills which is matched equally by his intense research into the topic. However, Being in the party since 1980 he never contested any direct election until 2014. He was the partys candidate for Amritsar (replacing Navjot Singh Sidhu) for Indian general election, 2014 which he lost to Congress candidate Amarinder Singh.On 26 May 2014, Jaitley was selected by newly elected, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to be the Minister of Finance (which includes the Ministry of Corporate Affairs) and Minister of Defence in his cabinet.
Arun Jaitley (born 28 December 1952) is currently the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Defence of the Union cabinet of India in the 16th Lok Sabha. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He has also previously held the portfolios as the Union cabinet Minister for Commerce and Industry, Law and Justice in the National Democratic Alliance government (1998-2004). In the 2014 general election, he unsuccessfully contested as Bharatiya Janata Partys candidate for Amritsar, where he was defeated by Indian National Congress candidate, Captain Amarinder Singh.He is currently a Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat (as of March 2006). He was chosen as the Leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha on June 3, 2009 by L.K. Advani. On June 16, 2009 he resigned from the post of General Secretary of BJP as per his partys One Man One Post principle. He is also a member of the Central Election Committee of the party. In his capacity as the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, he has been credited for his excellent oratory skills which is matched equally by his intense research into the topic. However, Being in the party since 1980 he never contested any direct election until 2014. He was the partys candidate for Amritsar (replacing Navjot Singh Sidhu) for Indian general election, 2014 which he lost to Congress candidate Amarinder Singh.On 26 May 2014, Jaitley was selected by newly elected, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to be the Minister of Finance (which includes the Ministry of Corporate Affairs) and Minister of Defence in his cabinet.
5. M Venkaiah Naidu
Urban Development Housing, Urban Poverty Alleviation, Parliamentary Affairs
Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu (born 1 July 1949) is an Indian politician hailing from Andhra Pradesh. He is a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party and has also served as the National President of the party from 2002 to 2004. Currently, he is serving as the Union Minister of Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Parliamentary Affairs in the Narendra Modi government. Earlier, he was the Union Cabinet Minister for Rural Development in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.He succeeded Jana Krishnamurthy as the National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2002. On January 28, 2004, he was elected unopposed for a full 3 year term. After the defeat of the BJP led NDA in the 2004 general elections, he resigned from his post on October 18, 2004 and was succeeded by L.K. Advani. However, he has remained in the forefront of the BJP as one of its senior vice presidents and an important campaigner.Following the historic victory of the BJP in the 2014 general elections, he has sworn is as the Minister for Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs on 26 May 2014.Notwithstanding his stature and hectic schedules in national politics, Venkaiah did not cut off his roots in home town. He launched a social service organization-Swarna Bharath Trust in Nellore serving the poor and needy. The trust runs a school for poor, orphan and special children. It imparts self-employment training programmes especially for women and youth.
Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu (born 1 July 1949) is an Indian politician hailing from Andhra Pradesh. He is a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party and has also served as the National President of the party from 2002 to 2004. Currently, he is serving as the Union Minister of Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Parliamentary Affairs in the Narendra Modi government. Earlier, he was the Union Cabinet Minister for Rural Development in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.He succeeded Jana Krishnamurthy as the National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2002. On January 28, 2004, he was elected unopposed for a full 3 year term. After the defeat of the BJP led NDA in the 2004 general elections, he resigned from his post on October 18, 2004 and was succeeded by L.K. Advani. However, he has remained in the forefront of the BJP as one of its senior vice presidents and an important campaigner.Following the historic victory of the BJP in the 2014 general elections, he has sworn is as the Minister for Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs on 26 May 2014.Notwithstanding his stature and hectic schedules in national politics, Venkaiah did not cut off his roots in home town. He launched a social service organization-Swarna Bharath Trust in Nellore serving the poor and needy. The trust runs a school for poor, orphan and special children. It imparts self-employment training programmes especially for women and youth.
6. Nitin Gadkari
Road Transport, Highways Shipping
Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water and Sanitation
Nitin Gadkari (born 27 May 1956) is an Indian politician and the current Transport minister under the BJP central cabinet in the 16th Loksabha. Mr Gadkari was appointed to head BJP in December 2009 after the party suffered a defeat in the general elections earlier that year. He is also known for the works during his tenure as a Public Works Department Minister in the state of Maharashta when he constructed a series of roads, highways and flyovers across the state including the Yashwantrao Chavan Mumbai Pune Expressway. In 2012, following an RTI disclosure, a number of irregularities were discovered re: investments in the Purti group, which Gadkari had founded. It was widely reported that this may have been why he failed to be re-elected as BJP president in January 2013. In May 2013, the Inome Tax department assessed the firm as having evaded Rs. 7 crores via improper means. Currently, he is Member of the 16th Lok Sabha from Nagpur constituency.
Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water and Sanitation
Nitin Gadkari (born 27 May 1956) is an Indian politician and the current Transport minister under the BJP central cabinet in the 16th Loksabha. Mr Gadkari was appointed to head BJP in December 2009 after the party suffered a defeat in the general elections earlier that year. He is also known for the works during his tenure as a Public Works Department Minister in the state of Maharashta when he constructed a series of roads, highways and flyovers across the state including the Yashwantrao Chavan Mumbai Pune Expressway. In 2012, following an RTI disclosure, a number of irregularities were discovered re: investments in the Purti group, which Gadkari had founded. It was widely reported that this may have been why he failed to be re-elected as BJP president in January 2013. In May 2013, the Inome Tax department assessed the firm as having evaded Rs. 7 crores via improper means. Currently, he is Member of the 16th Lok Sabha from Nagpur constituency.
7. D V Sadananda Gowda
Railways
Devaragunda Venkappa Sadananda Gowda (born March 19, 1953) is an Indian politician who was the 20th Chief Minister of Karnataka and is currently the Minister of Railways in the Government of India. He was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on August 4, 2011 following the resignation of B. S. Yeddyurappa. He earned national prominence as the President of the Karnataka unit of Bharatiya Janata Party when the BJP won an assembly election for the first time in South India in May 2008. He resigned as Chief Minister on July 8, 2012 to make way for Jagadish Shettar, as per the direction of the BJPs Central Committee. 2014 Elected to 16th Lok Sabha from Bangalore North and took oath as Railway Minister.After suffering big loss in May 2013 elections, BJP elected DV Sadananda Gowda as the opposition leader of legislative council in Karnataka.On 26 May 2014, Sadananda Gowda was sworn in as a cabinet minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modis newly elected government. He was put in charge of the Ministry of Railways.
Devaragunda Venkappa Sadananda Gowda (born March 19, 1953) is an Indian politician who was the 20th Chief Minister of Karnataka and is currently the Minister of Railways in the Government of India. He was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on August 4, 2011 following the resignation of B. S. Yeddyurappa. He earned national prominence as the President of the Karnataka unit of Bharatiya Janata Party when the BJP won an assembly election for the first time in South India in May 2008. He resigned as Chief Minister on July 8, 2012 to make way for Jagadish Shettar, as per the direction of the BJPs Central Committee. 2014 Elected to 16th Lok Sabha from Bangalore North and took oath as Railway Minister.After suffering big loss in May 2013 elections, BJP elected DV Sadananda Gowda as the opposition leader of legislative council in Karnataka.On 26 May 2014, Sadananda Gowda was sworn in as a cabinet minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modis newly elected government. He was put in charge of the Ministry of Railways.
8. Uma Bharati
Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation
Uma Bharti (born 3 May 1959), often given the honorific Sadhvi, is an Indian politician and Minister for Water Resources,River Development and Ganga Rejunvenation in Union Government of India. Raised by Vijaya Raje Scindia of Gwalior, she became involved with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at a very young age, unsuccessfully contesting her first Parliamentary elections in 1984. In 1989, she successfully contested the Khajuraho seat, and retained it in elections conducted in 1991, 1996 and 1998. In 1999, she switched constituencies and won the Bhopal seat. In the Vajpayee Administration, she held various state-level and cabinet level portfolios of Human Resource Development, Tourism, Youth Affairs & Sports, and finally Coal & Mines. Bharti was one of the most prominent leaders of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement of the 1980s and 90s organized by the BJP and the Vishva Hindu Parishad. She was present at the demolition of the Babri Masjid, and was later indicted by the Liberhan commission for her role in the incident. In the 2003 Assembly polls, she led the BJP to a three-fourths majority in the Madhya Pradesh assembly. She defeated her Congress opponent from the Malehra seat by a 25% margin. She resigned from the post of Chief Minister in August 2004, when an arrest warrant was issued against her regarding the 1994 Hubli riot case.She was re-inducted in the BJP on 7 June 2011. She was tasked with reviving the party in [Uttar Pradesh, ahead of the assembly election in 2012. Subsequently, she was appointed to the position of vice-president along with twelve others, as part of a team created to guide the BJP through the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. On 16 May 2014, she was elected to the Lok Sabha from Jhansi constituency by defeating Chandrapal Yadav of the Samajwadi Party. On 26 May 2014, she was appointed by newly elected Prime Minister, Narendra Modi as the Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation in his cabinet.
Uma Bharti (born 3 May 1959), often given the honorific Sadhvi, is an Indian politician and Minister for Water Resources,River Development and Ganga Rejunvenation in Union Government of India. Raised by Vijaya Raje Scindia of Gwalior, she became involved with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at a very young age, unsuccessfully contesting her first Parliamentary elections in 1984. In 1989, she successfully contested the Khajuraho seat, and retained it in elections conducted in 1991, 1996 and 1998. In 1999, she switched constituencies and won the Bhopal seat. In the Vajpayee Administration, she held various state-level and cabinet level portfolios of Human Resource Development, Tourism, Youth Affairs & Sports, and finally Coal & Mines. Bharti was one of the most prominent leaders of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement of the 1980s and 90s organized by the BJP and the Vishva Hindu Parishad. She was present at the demolition of the Babri Masjid, and was later indicted by the Liberhan commission for her role in the incident. In the 2003 Assembly polls, she led the BJP to a three-fourths majority in the Madhya Pradesh assembly. She defeated her Congress opponent from the Malehra seat by a 25% margin. She resigned from the post of Chief Minister in August 2004, when an arrest warrant was issued against her regarding the 1994 Hubli riot case.She was re-inducted in the BJP on 7 June 2011. She was tasked with reviving the party in [Uttar Pradesh, ahead of the assembly election in 2012. Subsequently, she was appointed to the position of vice-president along with twelve others, as part of a team created to guide the BJP through the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. On 16 May 2014, she was elected to the Lok Sabha from Jhansi constituency by defeating Chandrapal Yadav of the Samajwadi Party. On 26 May 2014, she was appointed by newly elected Prime Minister, Narendra Modi as the Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation in his cabinet.
9. Dr Najma A Heptulla
Minority Affairs
Dr. Najma Heptulla (born 13 April 1940) is an Indian politician, and is the Minister of Minority Affairs in the Government of India. She is a former vice president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and a five time member of the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of the Indian parliament, between 1986 and 2012, and Deputy Chairperson, Rajya Sabha for sixteen years. She was a member representing Rajasthan from July 2004 to July 2010. She was nominated by the BJP for the Rajya Sabha in 2012 from Madhya Pradesh, and assumed her office on 24 April 2012.She is a grand-niece of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, a prominent Indian freedom fighter. She is also a second cousin to actor Aamir Khan. She contested the 13th vice-presidential election held in August 2007 but lost to Hamid Ansari by 233 votes. She took oath as a cabinet minister in the Narendra Modi headed government on 26 May 2014.Heptulla was appointed as Minister of Minority Affairs in newly elected prime minister, Narendra Modis cabinet on 26 May 2014. She said that minorities needed a level playing field in Indian society, but reservation is not the solution as it kills the spirit of competition. She went on to comment that she considered parsis a minority, but not Muslims.
Dr. Najma Heptulla (born 13 April 1940) is an Indian politician, and is the Minister of Minority Affairs in the Government of India. She is a former vice president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and a five time member of the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of the Indian parliament, between 1986 and 2012, and Deputy Chairperson, Rajya Sabha for sixteen years. She was a member representing Rajasthan from July 2004 to July 2010. She was nominated by the BJP for the Rajya Sabha in 2012 from Madhya Pradesh, and assumed her office on 24 April 2012.She is a grand-niece of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, a prominent Indian freedom fighter. She is also a second cousin to actor Aamir Khan. She contested the 13th vice-presidential election held in August 2007 but lost to Hamid Ansari by 233 votes. She took oath as a cabinet minister in the Narendra Modi headed government on 26 May 2014.Heptulla was appointed as Minister of Minority Affairs in newly elected prime minister, Narendra Modis cabinet on 26 May 2014. She said that minorities needed a level playing field in Indian society, but reservation is not the solution as it kills the spirit of competition. She went on to comment that she considered parsis a minority, but not Muslims.
10. Ram Vilas Paswan
Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Ram Vilas Paswan (born 5 July 1946) is an Indian politician, from Bihar and the president of the Lok Janshakti Party, eight time Lok Sabha member and former a Rajya Sabha MP. Started his political career as member of Samyukta Socialist Party and was elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1969. Next he joined Lok Dal upon its formation in 1974, and became its general secretary. He opposed the emergency, and was arrested during the period. He entered the Lok Sabha in 1977, as a Janata Party member from Hajipur constituency, was chosen again 1980, 1984, 1989, 1996 and 1998. In 2000, he formed the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) as its President. Subsequently, he joined the ruling United Progressive Alliance government and remained a Union Minister in Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers and Ministry of Steel. He won the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, but lost the 2009 elections. After being member of a Rajya Sabha member from 2010 to 2014, he was elected again to the 16th Lok Sabha in the 2014 Indian general election from Hajipur constituency.He was elected as member of 16th Lok Sabha after the 2014 Indian general election from Hajipur constituency, while his son Chirag Paswan won from from Jamui constituency also in Bihar.
Ram Vilas Paswan (born 5 July 1946) is an Indian politician, from Bihar and the president of the Lok Janshakti Party, eight time Lok Sabha member and former a Rajya Sabha MP. Started his political career as member of Samyukta Socialist Party and was elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1969. Next he joined Lok Dal upon its formation in 1974, and became its general secretary. He opposed the emergency, and was arrested during the period. He entered the Lok Sabha in 1977, as a Janata Party member from Hajipur constituency, was chosen again 1980, 1984, 1989, 1996 and 1998. In 2000, he formed the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) as its President. Subsequently, he joined the ruling United Progressive Alliance government and remained a Union Minister in Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers and Ministry of Steel. He won the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, but lost the 2009 elections. After being member of a Rajya Sabha member from 2010 to 2014, he was elected again to the 16th Lok Sabha in the 2014 Indian general election from Hajipur constituency.He was elected as member of 16th Lok Sabha after the 2014 Indian general election from Hajipur constituency, while his son Chirag Paswan won from from Jamui constituency also in Bihar.
