DNA profiles the minister for company affairs who has been propelled into the limelight from relative obscurity by the Satyam scam.
DNA profiles the minister for company affairs who has been propelled into the limelight from relative obscurity by the Satyam scam
Age: 59 years
Education: BA Economics from DN College, Hissar, Haryana
Party: Rashtriya Janata Dal
The beginning: He came close to Lalu Prasad in the 90s when the RJD chief’s old friends Nitish Kumar and Sharad Yadav deserted him. He was by the railway minister’s side throughout when he was fighting to save his skin in the fodder scam. He stuck by Lalu, helping to manage his affairs in the capital and liaise with lawyers and government functionaries.
Career: He was a businessman before he joined politics in the 90s. For a while he ran a small business out of Hong Kong before moving to India. Lalu rewarded him for his loyalty and work by making him a member of the Rajya Sabha in 1996. He was subsequently re-elected in 1992. He is also national general secretary of RJD.
Strengths: He draws his strength from his proximity to Lalu. He is to Lalu what Amar Singh is to Mulayam Singh, except that he does not try and control the railway minister’s politics in the manner Amar Singh controls Mulayam’s. He has remained close to Lalu for almost 15 years, primarily because of his ability to do his master’s bidding and stay in the background. He is the railways minister’s point man. He organises his logistics as well as looks after his interests in the capital.
Weaknesses: He is known in political circles in the context of Lalu Prasad and has little going for him except his proximity to his boss. He does not have a political background or a base of his own.
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