Cabinet expansion: Pilot-cum-politician Rajiv Pratap Rudy returns to government

A pilot-cum-politician, Rajiv Pratap Rudy returns to the Union Council of Ministers riding on BJP's success in the assembly polls in Maharastra after the articulate leader played a key role in the party's victory in the politically crucial state.

The induction of Rudy, who had humbled RJD chief Lalu Prasad's wife Rabri Devi in the recent Lok sabha elections in Bihar's Saran constituency, also signals BJP's focus on Bihar ahead of next year's assembly polls.

52-year-old Rudy comes from politically significant caste of Rajputs whose votes will be crucial for BJP in its aim to capture power in Bihar.

He was first made a Minister of state for Commerce and Industry in Atal Behari Vajpayee Ministry in 2001 and become Civil Aviation Minister with Independent Charge two years later.

As BJP General Secretary in-charge of Maharastra, Rudy had worked closely with party President Amit Shah and his induction into the Ministry is seen as a reward for his hardwork.

Rudy, who still holds a pilot's license and often flies commercial flights and has a formidable reputation as a party organiser, is one of the prominent faces on Television debates.

Born on March 30, 1962 in Chhapra, Rudy was a lecturer prior to entering politics and was involved in student politics while studying at Panjab University.

He was first elected in 1990 as an MLA to Bihar Legislative Assembly and then elected to the Lok Sabha in 1996. He was re–elected for a second term to the 13th Lok Sabha in 1999.

Rudy had earlier held the post of National Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.

In 2004, Rudy was embroiled in a controversy following allegation that he did not pay hotel bills for stay of his family in a Goa hotel and asked Airports Authority of India to pay them.

Rudy is married to Neelam Pratap and has two daughters.