Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, a prominent face in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and currently heading the ministries of health and chemicals and fertilizers, is set to enter the Lok Sabha elections for the first time. After two successful terms as a Rajya Sabha member, Mandaviya has been nominated as the BJP candidate from Porbandar, Gujarat.
The BJP on March 2 released the first list of 195 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The first list of candidates includes 34 central ministers and MoS and Lok Sabha Speaker. The list comprises 28 women and 47 young leaders spreading across 16 states and Union Territories.
Fondly known as the "Green MP" for his eco-friendly commute to Parliament via cycling, the 51-year-old leader has steadily climbed the political ladder, holding key ministerial positions.
Taking charge of the crucial health portfolio in 2021 during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis, Mandaviya replaced Harsh Vardhan. Simultaneously, he assumed control of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, succeeding D V Sadananda Gowda in a cabinet reshuffle.
Key things to know about Mansukh Mandaviya:
Early life and political beginnings:
- Born in Hanol village, Palitana taluka, Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, into a farmer's family.
- Active involvement in politics from a young age, joining Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
- Became a state executive committee member of ABVP's Gujarat unit.
- Youngest member of the Gujarat legislative assembly in 2002.
- Appointed as BJP Gujarat's secretary in 2013 and general secretary in 2014.
- Led BJP's high-tech and mega membership drive campaign in 2014, attracting over 1 crore members.
- Appointed as the chairman of Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation Limited by then Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
- Holds a veterinary doctor degree and is a political science postgraduate from Bhavnagar University.
- Earned a Doctorate of Philosophy degree from the Gujarat Institute of Development and Research, Ahmedabad.
- Inducted into the cabinet as MoS for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping, and Chemicals and Fertilizers on July 5, 2016.
- Re-sworn on May 30, 2019, as MoS for Chemicals and Fertilizers with an independent charge of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
- Elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2012 and re-elected in 2018.
- Oversaw the implementation of the world's largest COVID-19 vaccination program.
- Played a crucial role in the supply chain of oxygen and medicines during the severe second wave of COVID-19.
- Instrumental in launching the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission for accessible health services.
- Introduced the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan to eliminate tuberculosis ahead of the SDG target of 2030.
- Under his leadership, the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers established over 10,600 Jan Aushadhi stores.
- Launched a scheme in 2022 to convert over 3.3 lakh retail shops of fertilizers into Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samruddhi Kendras.
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