Banwari Lal Sharma
Banwari Lal Sharma | |
|---|---|
बनवारी लाल शर्मा | |
 | |
| Member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 1962–1967 | |
| Preceded by | Hari Shanker |
| Succeeded by | Banwari Lal Sharma |
| Constituency | Dholpur |
| In office 1967–1972 | |
| Preceded by | Banwari Lal Sharma |
| Succeeded by | Jagdish Singh |
| Constituency | Dholpur |
| In office 1980–1985 | |
| Preceded by | Jagdish Singh |
| Succeeded by | Vasundhara Raje |
| Constituency | Dholpur |
| In office 1993–1998 | |
| Preceded by | Bhairon Singh Shekhawat |
| Succeeded by | Shiv Ram |
| Constituency | Dholpur |
| In office 2003–2008 | |
| Preceded by | Shiv Ram |
| Succeeded by | Abdul Sagir Khan |
| Constituency | Dholpur |
| In office 2013–2017 | |
| Preceded by | Abdul Sagir Khan |
| Succeeded by | Banwari Lal Kushwaha |
| Constituency | Dholpur |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1939 or 1940 Dholpur, Rajputana Agency, British India |
| Died | (aged 84) Dholpur, Rajasthan, India |
| Political party | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Other political affiliations | Indian National Congress |
| Relations | Jagan Family |
| Children | Ashok Sharma |
| Parent | Jagannath Mudgal (Father) |
| Residence(s) | Jagan Bhawan, Dholpur, Rajasthan |
Banwari Lal Sharma (1939 or 1940 – 23 October 2024) was an Indian politician, who served as a Cabinet minister in the Government of Rajasthan. Sharma spent over 50 years in politics representing Dholpur and defeated the likes of Vasundhara Raje Scindia.[1][2][3]
A prominent Brahmin leader and member of the political Jagan family, Sharma was considered the face of the Indian National Congress, and later Bharatiya Janata Party in Rajasthan.
Early life and education
[edit]Banwari Lal Sharma was born in the city of Dholpur, a region near the city of Agra, in the state of Rajasthan. He was born to the prominent Jagan Family, a family known for its deep roots in both political and entrepreneurial spheres within India. His father, Jagannath Prasad Sharma, in whose name the family name and business still stands today, was an influential figure in India, with very close relations to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.[4] Jagan was known for patronising Brahmins, which was taken forward by Sharma and his son, Ashok Sharma. Famously, if Jagan is written on any vehicle, even the dacoits active in the area at that time would not dare to stop it.[5]
Political career
[edit]Initial years and representation
[edit]Sharma began his political journey in 1962 at the age of 24, emerging as a strong contender for the Congress party. His unwavering dedication ensured his candidacy for the Dholpur assembly seat for eight consecutive terms.
Ministerial roles
[edit]Sharma's leadership skills were soon recognised on a larger scale, leading to his appointment as a senior Cabinet Minister in multiple Rajasthan governments. Throughout his ministerial tenures, Sharma was instrumental in various state decisions and policies.
Relationship with other political figures
[edit]In a remarkable electoral battle in the 1993 Legislative election, Sharma defeated the former Chief Minister, Vasundhara Raje Scindia. The 1993 election was the first instance, since independence, where the House of Scindia had to face defeat. Post 2018, despite past electoral rivalry, a notable closeness developed between Sharma, his son Ashok, and Vasundhara Raje Scindia.
Personal life and legacy
[edit]Banwari Lal Sharma inherited politics to become a political figure and the patriarch of the Jagan family. His father Jagannath Prasad Sharma was considered the Chanakya of politics and had very close relations with the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. On multiple occasions, the Prime Ministers have visited his residence. [6]
His son, Ashok Sharma, was a recognised and senior figure in the BJP before his untimely death in 2022.[7] His nephew, Ritesh Sharma, was the chairman of Dholpur Council, and candidate in the 2023 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election. His daughter-in-law Neerja Sharma was also a BJP candidate in the 2023 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election.
Beyond politics, Sharma's influence spanned across as the leader of Brahmin society in North India. His reach and impact are visible across states as far as Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi.[8]
Lal Sharma died on 23 October 2024, at the age of 84.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ "Dholpur by-poll: Cong fields Banwari Lal". The Times of India. 18 March 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
- ^ Pratap Singh, Bhanu (14 April 2017). "Dholpur by-poll result not a vote for development but a victory of govt machinery: Sachin Pilot". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
- ^ "Indian National Congress Party". rajpcc.com. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
- ^ "Ashok Sharma Death: जगन की विरासत के सच्चे वाहक का निधन, पूर्वी राजस्थान में ब्राह्मण समाज के एक युग का अंत". Amar Ujala (in Hindi). Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ "Ashok Sharma Death: जगन की विरासत के सच्चे वाहक का निधन, पूर्वी राजस्थान में ब्राह्मण समाज के एक युग का अंत". Amar Ujala (in Hindi). Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ "विरोधी भी करते थे इज्जत! जानिए कौन थे बनवारी लाल शर्मा... जिन्होंने पूर्व CM वसुंधरा राजे को हराया था चुनाव". Zee News (in Hindi). Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "धौलपुर: पूर्व मंत्री बनवारी लाल शर्मा के पुत्र एवं BJP के कद्दावर नेता अशोक शर्मा का निधन". Zee News (in Hindi). Retrieved 3 September 2022.
- ^ "Ashok Sharma Death: जगन की विरासत के सच्चे वाहक का निधन, पूर्वी राजस्थान में ब्राह्मण समाज के एक युग का अंत". Amar Ujala (in Hindi). Retrieved 3 September 2022.
- ^ पूर्व मंत्री बनवारी लाल शर्मा का निधन:धौलपुर से लगातार 5 बार रहे विधायक, सर्मथकों में दौड़ी शोक की लहर (in Hindi)