rajnath singh
Rajnath Singh, one of the key leaders of the BJP and currently the Union Defence Minister, has had a long political career spanning several decades. Rajnath Singh's political journey began in the early 1970s when he became associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). His strong ideological roots within the RSS laid the foundation for his subsequent political career.
Singh started his political career in 1975, as the district president of Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh for the Bhartiya Jan Sangh, the predecessor of the BJP. He was the district coordinator for the JP movement and was imprisoned for 18 months during the Emergency.
A long time associate of the Rashrtiya Swyamsevak Sangh, Rajnath Singh became the BJPâs youth wing president in 1984, Uttar Pradesh. He became the state education minister in 1991. In 1994, he was elected to be a Rajya Sabha MP which was soon followed by him becoming the UP state president for the BJP.
In 2005, after party veteran LK Advani resigned following NDAâs loss in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, Singh was elected as BJPâs National President -- a position he held again in 2013.
Throughout his tenure, Rajnath Singh has held various key positions within the BJP. He was elected to Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council in 1988 and became the Education Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 1991. In March 1997 he became State President of the Uttar Pradesh unit of BJP and played a key role in saving the BJP-led Government twice during the political crisis. In November 1999 he became Union Minister of Surface Transport in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. In 2003, Rajnath Singh became Minister of Agriculture in Vajpayeeâs cabinet.
Rajnath served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh from 2000 to 2002. Later, Singh assumed crucial responsibilities within the BJP. He became the President of the party in 2005 and played a vital role in strengthening the organization's structure, expanding its reach, and mobilizing grassroots support.
In 2014, when the BJP secured a resounding victory in the general elections, Rajnath Singh was appointed as the Union Minister for Home Affairs in the Narendra Modi-led government. While in Modi's second term as Prime Minister, Rajnath was given charge of the Defence Ministry, a portfolio he retained in PM Modi's third term also after winning the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Lucknow constituency once again.
Rajnath Singh is widely regarded as a skilled administrator and known for his ability to connect with people, resolve conflicts, and deliver results. His firm yet composed demeanour has earned him respect across party lines and among his colleagues.
RAJNATH SINGH NEWS
India hands over defence equipment and stores to the Maldives
January 09, 2025 8:36 am
The Ministry of Defence, in a statement, said they âcomprehensively reviewed various aspects of bilateral defence and security cooperationâ.
India committed to assist Maldives in boosting defence capabilities: Rajnath Singh
January 08, 2025 8:20 pm
Rajnath Singh hosted Maldives Defence Minister Mohammed Ghassan Maumoon for wide-ranging talks focusing on maritime security cooperation.
'Year of reforms': India lists theatre commands, simpler defence procurement as priorities for 2025
January 01, 2025 7:18 pm
The defence ministry said the focus in 2025 will also be on new domains such as cyber and space, emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, hypersonic, and robotics.
Delhi Confidential: Mutual Respect
December 28, 2024 2:21 am
Decode Politics: In Parliament debate, why Rajnath Singh brought up this little-known Constitution
December 22, 2024 8:26 am
Adopted by the Hindu Mahasabha, the 'Hindusthan Free State Constitution' espoused liberal values such as freedom to practise religion, as the right-wing outfit sought larger acceptability in the run-up to Independence.
Rajnath Singh seeks blueprint on caste census, slams Congress for âinsultingâ Constitution
December 14, 2024 5:58 am
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attacked the Congress in the Lok Sabha for trying to âhijack and appropriateâ the Constitution, saying it was not âthe gift of a partyâ but belonged to the âpeople of Indiaâ.
In Lok Sabha debut, Priyanka addresses Nehru-Gandhi criticism head-on: âWhy donât you learn from Emergency?â
December 14, 2024 5:56 pm
The Wayanad MP did not hesitate to counter the BJPâs oft-repeated attacks on her great-grandfather and Indiaâs first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
'India-Russia friendship higher than highest mountain, deeper than deepest ocean': Rajnath Singh meets Vladimir Putin
December 11, 2024 5:06 am
The Defence Minister assured President Putin that India has always stood by its Russian friends and will continue to do so in the future.
C Raja Mohan writes: Dealing with the China question
November 28, 2024 10:52 pm
India will need to move much faster on the reform front than it has so far to cope with the massive gap in the defence capabilities with China as well as seize the international opportunity for the transformation of its defence industrial base.
Looking forward to de-escalation, focus on cooperation: Rajnath to China counterpart
November 21, 2024 8:47 am
Meeting Dong on the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministersâ Meeting-Plus, Singh âemphasised and looked forward to greater trust and confidence building between the two sides through de-escalationâ.
RAJNATH SINGH PHOTOS
PM Modi, Rajnath Singh, other political leaders observe 9th International Yoga Day
June 21, 2023 3:40 pm
Political leaders participated in International Yoga Day celebrations on June 21.
In photos: Rajnath Singh, PM Albanese join Holi celebrations in India
March 08, 2023 10:53 pm
Military parade, bike stunts mark Bengaluru's Army Day celebration
January 16, 2023 11:19 pm
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the event was organised in Karnataka to pay tribute to the people of the state who laid down their lives for Indiaâs freedom.
IAF gets first made-in-India Light Combat Helicopters
October 03, 2022 5:31 pm
The Light Combat Helicopters are capable of destroying enemy air defence and can be deployed in counter-insurgency operations and combat search-and-rescue tasks.
In Pics: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meets Japanese counterpart in Tokyo to bolster ties
September 08, 2022 2:04 pm
PM Modi, Yogi Adityanath and Rajnath Singh pay tributes to former UP CM Kalyan Singh
August 22, 2021 6:00 pm
Kalyan Singh passed away after battling age-related ailments at a Lucknow hospital for nearly one-and-a-half months.
22nd Anniversary of Kargil war: India remembers brave soldiers on Vijay Diwas
July 26, 2021 1:56 pm
In 1999 on this day, the Indian armed forces defeated attempts by Pakistan to capture strategic heights in Kargil. It was named 'Operation Vijay' (victory).
US Defence Secy meets Rajnath, says India 'central pillar' in US approach in Indo-Pacific
March 20, 2021 6:17 pm
Austin arrived here on Friday on a three-day visit as part of his three-nation first overseas tour that signalled the Biden administration's strong commitment to its relations with its close allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
Manali to Spiti in 15 mins: PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Atal Tunnel at Rohtang
October 03, 2020 1:34 pm
On a daily basis, the tunnel has the capacity to handle approximately 3,000 cars and 1,500 trucks with a maximum speed of 80 km per hour.
Rajnath Singh in Leh: Reviews Army preparedness, boosts morale of soldiers
July 17, 2020 4:46 pm
Rajnath Singh, who arrived in Leh more than a month after 20 soldiers were killed in Galwan Valley on June 15, assured the troops that their sacrifice will not go in vain.
RAJNATH SINGH VIDEOS
Mass conversions are a matter of concern for all: Rajnath Singh
June 22, 2020 6:05 pm
At a function organised by a Christian body, on Tuesday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that mass conversions are a matter of concern and needs to be checked.
Ramnath Goenka Awards: 5 key takeaways from Rajnath Singh's speech
June 22, 2020 6:06 pm
The 13th edition of the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards was held recently in New Delhi. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh delivered the Keynote Address at the event. Here are 5 takeaways from his speech.
Rajnath Singh: How can Naxals be called Gandhians with Guns?
June 22, 2020 6:06 pm
At the Ramnath Goenka Awards 2019, Home Minister Rajnath Singh questioned the how Naxalites were being called Gandhians with guns. He asked if our security forces had no human rights.
RNG Awards 2019: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Delivering The Keynote Address
June 22, 2020 6:06 pm
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh delivers the keynote address at The Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards after presenting awards to 29 winners in 18 categories across print, broadcast and purely-digital for outstanding work done in 2017.
After rescue comes recovery. How states are helping rebuild Kerala: News in Numbers
June 22, 2020 6:18 pm
Kerala initial estimate of the damage is about Rs 20,000 crore. The Centre has so far pledged Rs 600 crore. This is how states are pitching in. Take a look in todayâs #NewsInNumbers
The amount of loss in Kerala because of floods: News in Numbers
June 22, 2020 6:18 pm
As Kerala battles its worst floods in a century, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said that the state, with help from the centre and armed forces, is constantly trying to overcome the situation. See more: https://bit.ly/2M2t86i
40 lakh people left out of Assam NRC: News in Numbers
June 22, 2020 6:20 pm
What does it mean for 40 lakh people to be left out of the Assam NRC? Let's put the number in perspective. Take a look in today's News in Numbers.
Centre announces ceasefire in J&K with militants during Ramzan, CM Mehbooba Mufti thanks Rajnath, Modi and other stakeholders
June 22, 2020 6:25 pm
Home Minister Rajnath Singh announced a ceasefire with militants in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan.
Pathankot Attack: Indian Express' Investigation
May 20, 2016 11:14 pm
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