Who is Gajendra Singh Shekhawat? - Union Minister of Jal Shakti
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Gajendra Singh Shekhawat |
| Current Position | Union Minister of Jal Shakti |
| Political Party | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) |
| Constituency | Jodhpur, Rajasthan |
| Education | M.A. and M.Phil. in Philosophy, Jai Narain Vyas University |
| Known As | "Progressive and Technology Savvy Farmer", "Gajju Bana" |
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, affectionately known as "Gajju Bana," was born on October 3, 1967, in Mahroli Village, Shrimadhopur tehsil of Sikar district, Rajasthan. He pursued his higher education at Jai Narain Vyas University in Jodhpur, where he earned a Master of Arts (M.A.) and a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Philosophy.
Political Career
Student Politics and Early Roles
Shekhawat's political journey began in 1992 when he was elected as the President of the Student Union at Jai Narain Vyas University, garnering more votes than any previous Akhil Bhartiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) supporter. He later served as the National General Secretary of the BJP Kisan Morcha, the farmers' wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Shekhawat also held positions as a Member of the BJP Pradesh Karyakarni (Rajasthan) and a Member of the National Team of BJP MSI Cell.
Member of Parliament (2014-Present)
In the 2014 Indian general elections, Shekhawat was elected as a Member of Parliament to the 16th Lok Sabha from the Jodhpur constituency, securing the highest-ever winning margin of 4,10,051 votes. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in the expansion of the Jodhpur Airport, a long-standing demand for the past 18 years.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare (2017-2019)
On September 3, 2017, Shekhawat was appointed as the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. In this role, he focused on doubling farmers' income by 2022 and drafted strategies and policies to bring about transformative changes in the Indian agriculture sector.
Union Minister of Jal Shakti (2019-Present)
Following the 2019 Indian general elections, where he defeated Vaibhav Gehlot, the son of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, by a margin of 2.74 lakh votes, Shekhawat was elevated to the position of Union Minister of Jal Shakti on May 31, 2019. As the Minister of Jal Shakti, he has been entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the government's efforts in water conservation and management.
Social Media Presence and Youth Engagement
Shekhawat is known for his strong presence on social media platforms, particularly on Quora, where he is the most followed Indian politician. His Quora profile has more than 83,749 followers, and his answers have garnered over 8 million views. He actively engages with the youth of the country, considering it a highlight of his parliamentary journey.
Controversies
In 2020, Shekhawat's name surfaced in connection with the Sanjivani Credit Cooperative Society scam in Rajasthan. However, he has denied any involvement, stating that neither he nor his family members have been associated with the society in any capacity.
Personal Life
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is married to Naunand Kanwar, and they have three children together.