Gopal Bhargava
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Gopal Bhargava (born 1 July 1952) is an Indian politician and senior cabinet minister in Madhya Pradesh Government. He was sworn in as a cabinet minister on 2 July 2020, it is his 6th term as cabinet minister most by anyone in Government of Madhya Pradesh. He was also leader of the opposition in 15th Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly. He is only person who served as Cabinet Minister for 15 consecutive years in the Government of Madhya Pradesh, India. He belongs to the Bharatiya Janata Party and is consecutive eighth-time Member of Legislative Assembly, representing Rehli(Vidhan Sabha Constituency) since 1985.
Early life and education
Bhargava was born on 1 July 1952 to Pandit Shankarlal Bhargava (Kakkaji). His grandfather was a social activist & leader. He started his primary at his hometown Garhakota. Later he moved to Sagar for higher study. Bhargava held degree in B.Sc., MA in Political Science) and LLB (Law) from Dr. H.S. Gour University, Sagar.[citation needed]
Political career
His early political career can be defined as up to the point of his first election to the Nagar Palika, Garhakota. He was the President of students union at Government Boys Higher Secondary School Garhakota in 1965. In 1984-85, he participated in youth movement for a college building and was imprisoned in Sagar Jail for some time.
He was first elected as president to the Nagar Palika Garhakota in 1980 and then as a Member of Legislative Assembly from Rehli in 1984. In 2003, Bhargava was chosen to become the cabinet minister in Government of Madhya Pradesh led by Uma Bharti. He was also made the President of MP Agro-Development Corporation, President of MP Agriculture Board, President of State warehousing Corporation, President of MP state civil supplies corporation. president of Apex bank MP and many other departments.
In 2008, he took oath as cabinet minister of Panchayat & Rural Development, Social Justice in Government of led by Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
In 2013, Gopal Bhargava retained the Rehli Vidhan Sabha seat by over 52,000 votes without made any individual campaign during election with it, led the BJP to a third consecutive victory with government in the state. On 12 December 2013, he was sworn in for his third consecutive term as cabinet minister (most senior, popular & highly decorated, reputed minister, serving same as deputy chief minister of state stand next to Shivraj Singh Chouhan) and again took charge of Panchayat & Rural Development, Social Justice & Co-operative Society
In 2018, he was re-elected from Rehli, and became the most senior legislator in Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha.
On 7 January 2019, he was elected Leader of the Opposition in 15th Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, with common consent. He resigned from Leader of the Opposition after BJP formed government in Madhya Pradesh on 23rd March 2020. He inducted in Shivraj Singh Chauhan' Cabinet on 2 July 2020 & given portfolio of Public Works Department and Cottage & Rural Industries. He is still undefeated in his political career spanning 4 decades.
Personal life
Bhargava has been married to Rekha Bhargava since 1981. They have one son and three daughters.
His son Abhishek Gopal Bhargava is also Politician, he was state vice president of Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha Madhya Pradesh. His son oversees and manages his work in his constituency. Abhishek also had claimed candidancy for Member of Parliament from Damoh Lok Sabha constituency in 2019 Indian general elections. He involves in social duties. He is a youth icon
References