Rajiv Pratap Rudy

{{Infobox officeholder

| image = File:The Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (Independent Charge) and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy addressing at the National Conference on Urban Poverty Alleviation, in New Delhi.jpg

| alt = Rajiv Pratap Rudy

| office = Minister of State
Government of India

| term_start = 9 November 2014

| term_end = 31 August 2017

| primeminister = Narendra Modi

| 1blankname = {{centre|Ministry}}

| 1namedata = {{centre|Term}}

| 2blankname = Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship
(Independent Charge)

| 2namedata = 9 November 2014 - 31 August 2017

| 3blankname = Minister of Parliamentary Affairs

| 3namedata = 9 November 2014 - 5 July 2016

| term_start1 = 1 September 2002

| term_end1 = 22 May 2004

| primeminister1 = Atal Bihari Vajpayee

| 1blankname1 = {{centre|Ministry}}

| 1namedata1 = {{centre|Term}}

| 2blankname1 = Minister of Civil Aviation
(Independent Charge)

| 2namedata1 = 24 May 2003 - 22 May 2004

| 3blankname1 = Minister of Commerce & Industry

| 3namedata1 = 1 September 2002 - 24 May 2003

| office2 = Member of Parliament
Lok Sabha

| constituency2 = Saran

| term_start2 = 2014

| predecessor2 = Lalu Prasad yadav

| constituency3 = Chapra

| term_start3 = 1999

| term_end3 = 2004

| predecessor3 = Heera Lal Rai

| successor3 = Lalu Prasad Yadav

| term_start4 = 1996

| term_end4 = 1998

| predecessor4 = Lal Babu Rai

| successor4 = Heera Lal Rai

| constituency4 = Chapra

| office5 = Member of Parliament
Rajya Sabha

| constituency5 = Bihar

| term_start5 = 4 July 2008

| term_end5 = 16 May 2014

| predecessor5 = Jai Narain Prasad Nishad

| successor5 = Pavan Varma

| office6 = Member of Bihar Legislative Assembly

|constituency6 = Taraiya

| term_start6 = 1990

| term_end6 = 1995

| predecessor6 = Ram Das Rai

| successor6 = Ram Das Rai

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1962|03|30|df=y}}

| birth_place = Amnour, Saran, Bihar

| spouse = {{Marriage|Neelam Pratap|1991}}

| children = 2

| party = Bharatiya Janata Party
(1999–present)
Bihar People's Party
(1995-1999)

| alma_mater = Panjab University

| signature =

}}

Rajiv Pratap Rudy (born 30 March 1962) is an Indian politician from Bihar. He is a four-time Member of Parliament representing Bharatiya Janata Party.{{Cite news |title=Bringing out the jazz & blues for July 4 | Delhi News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/bringing-out-the-jazz-blues-for-july-4/articleshow/59424568.cms |website=The Times of India|date=4 July 2017 }} In 2023, he won from Saran (Lok Sabha constituency) in Bihar.{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/opinion/it-is-a-clash-of-stylish-titans-in-bihars-saran-as-rajiv-rudy-chandrika-rai-give-classy-twist-to-ls-battle-2126485.html|title=It is a Clash of 'Stylish' Titans in Bihar's Saran as Rajiv Rudy, Chandrika Rai Give Classy Twist to LS Battle|date=3 May 2019}} Earlier, he won three times in 1996, 1999 and 2014 from Chapra Assembly Constituency, which later became Saran. He was also an MLA from Taraiya Assembly Constituency representing Janata Dal in 1990. He is also a licensed pilot.{{cite news|last1=The Economic Times|title=Bullish Wins & Bearish Losses: Here are the key contests and results of 2024 Lok Sabha polls|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/bullish-wins-bearish-losses-here-are-the-key-contests-of-2024-lok-sabha-results/articleshow/110713130.cms?from=mdr|accessdate=27 July 2024|date=6 June 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727153249/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/bullish-wins-bearish-losses-here-are-the-key-contests-of-2024-lok-sabha-results/articleshow/110713130.cms?from=mdr|archivedate=27 July 2024}}

Early life

Rajiv Pratap Rudy was born to Vishwanath Singh and Prabha Singh on 30 March 1962 in Patna, Bihar.{{Cite web|url=http://ceobihar.nic.in/election/Rajya%20Sabha%20Elections%202010/Rajiv%20Pratap%20Rudy.pdf|title=Rudy details for Rajya Sabha June 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pmindia.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Shri-Rajiv-Pratap-Rudy-Minister-of-State-for-Skill-Development-and-Entrepreneurship.pdf|title=Rudy profile}} His ancestral village is Amnour, Saran, Bihar.{{Cite web|url=http://docs2.myneta.info/affidavits/ews3ls2014/8143/Rajiv%20Pratap%20Rudy.pdf|title=Amnour village|access-date=5 August 2016|archive-date=9 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009084443/http://docs2.myneta.info/affidavits/ews3ls2014/8143/Rajiv%20Pratap%20Rudy.pdf|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/elections-2014/rudy-tries-to-shed-high-flying-image-114041500490_1.html|title=Rudy, a Rajput from Amnaur and a trained commercial pilot.|newspaper=Business Standard India|date=18 April 2014|last1=Chowdhury|first1=Kavita}}{{Cite web|title=Rajiv Pratap Rudy Biography - About family, political life, awards won, history|url=https://www.elections.in/political-leaders/rajiv-pratap-rudy.html/|access-date=2020-08-06|website=Elections in India}} Rudy did his schooling from St. Michael's High School, Patna.{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/made-in-chandigarh-panjab-university-groomed-me-for-politics-says-mla-rajiv-pratap-rudy/story-gKqy1iEgyzGLSH6CGXzPjN.html|title=Made in Chandigarh: Panjab University groomed me for politics, says MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy|date=22 June 2018}} Later, he completed his pre-university from DAV College, Chandigarh. He completed his B.A. (Hons.) in Economics at Government College, Chandigarh. Later he also got a degree in Law from Panjab University in 1985 and studied post-graduation in Economics from Magadh University in 1987.

Prior to joining politics, he was a lecturer of Economics in A.N. College, Patna.{{Cite web | url=https://india.gov.in/my-government/indian-parliament/rajiv-pratap-rudy-0 | title=National Portal of India}} He was into student politics at Panjab University at Chandigarh when studying at Government College.{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1040214/asp/opinion/story_2894446.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040501074927/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040214/asp/opinion/story_2894446.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 May 2004|title=JET SET GO}}

Personal life

Rudy married Neelam Pratap on 9 March 1991 at the age of 29.{{Cite web |title=Leading a full life |url=http://archive.asianage.com/life-and-style/leading-full-life-737 |website=The Asian Age}}{{cite web |title=Rudy archive profile |url=http://www.archive.india.gov.in/govt/rajyasabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=2093 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701222302/https://archive.india.gov.in/govt/rajyasabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=2093 |archive-date=1 July 2018 |access-date=17 July 2016}} They have two daughters.{{cite web |title=Member's Web Site |url=http://164.100.47.5:8080/members/Website/Mainweb.asp?mpcode=2093 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113172924/http://164.100.47.5:8080/members/website/Mainweb.asp?mpcode=2093 |archive-date=2009-01-13}} Elder daughter, Avshreya Rudy (born 1993), is a lawyer and also a polo player.{{Cite web |date=15 March 2016 |title=A polo-nial queen's sport |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/in-other-news/160316/a-polo-nial-queen-s-sport.html}} His younger daughter, Atisha Pratap Singh (born 2000), is a kuchipudi dancer.{{Cite news |title=Asharaje Gaekwad hosts HVR Baroda Cup Polo tournament at the Jaipur Polo Grounds in Delhi - Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/delhi/Asharaje-Gaekwad-hosts-HVR-Baroda-Cup-Polo-tournament-at-the-Jaipur-Polo-Grounds-in-Delhi/articleshow/49769811.cms |website=The Times of India|date=14 November 2015 }}

{{Cite news |title=Weaving Ties with Ikat |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/Weaving-Ties-with-Ikat/2016/02/28/article3300266.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229100408/http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/Weaving-Ties-with-Ikat/2016/02/28/article3300266.ece |archive-date=29 February 2016 |work=The New Indian Express}}{{Cite web |title=राजनीति का ककहरा सीख रही हैं राजीव प्रताप रूडी की बेटी |url=http://www.livehindustan.com/news/Moradabad/article1-atisha-rudy-in-public-meeting-538527.html |website=www.livehindustan.com}}{{Cite web |title=सियासत में कदम रखने को तैयार भाजपा के दिग्गज नेता की बेटी, जान लीजिए नाम |url=http://www.amarujala.com/india-news/atisha-is-learning-politics-from-her-father-rajiv-pratap-rudy |website=/www.amarujala.com}}

Political career

Rudy started his political journey in 1989 as a campaign manager of Harmohan Dhawan, who contested from the Chandigarh Lok Sabha constituency. He was actively associated with former prime minister Chandra Shekhar.

Rudy was first elected in 1990 as a Member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly on Janata Dal ticket from Taraiya at the young age of 28.

= As Member of Parliament =

Rudy was elected to the Lok Sabha winning the 1996 Indian General Election in Bihar as a candidate of the BJP from Chapra (Lok Sabha constituency). He won the 1999 Indian General Election in Bihar and was re–elected for a second term of Lok Sabha on BJP ticket.

He then served as the Minister of State for Commerce, Trade & Industry and subsequently became Civil Aviation Minister with independent charge in the National Democratic Alliance government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2001.

Rudy had earlier held the post of National Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha. He was the General Secretary and member of the BJP National Executive.{{Cite news |date=2014-11-09 |title=Pilot-cum-politician Rajiv Pratap Rudy returns to government |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/pilot-cum-politician-rajiv-pratap-rudy-returns-to-government/articleshow/45087498.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-05-11 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}

Rudy lost to Lalu Prasad in 2004 General elections in Chapra (Lok Sabha constituency).{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20040503-election-2004-laloo-yadav-takes-on-rajiv-pratap-rudy-in-chhapra-790156-2004-05-03|title=Election 2004: Laloo Yadav takes on Rajiv Pratap Rudy in Chhapra|date=May 3, 2004 |magazine=India Today}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/election/2004/apr/30einter2.htm|title=Rajiv Rudy on Chhapra poll|website=www.rediff.com}} He was then elected to Rajya Sabha from Bihar in 2010.{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Patna/Ram-Vilas-Paswan-Rajiv-Pratap-Rudy-win-Rajya-Sabha-seats-from-Bihar/Article1-558978.aspx |title=Ram Vilas Paswan, Rajiv Pratap Rudy win Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=2010-06-17 |access-date=2013-12-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231084251/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Patna/Ram-Vilas-Paswan-Rajiv-Pratap-Rudy-win-Rajya-Sabha-seats-from-Bihar/Article1-558978.aspx |archive-date=31 December 2013 |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web |url=http://www.bjp.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=433&Itemid=682 |title=National Office Bearers |access-date=2013-12-24}} He contested the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections from Saran (Lok Sabha constituency) and defeated former Chief Minister of Bihar, Rabri Devi.{{Cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1151026/jsp/nation/story_49690.jsp#.V4Xuh_l97IU|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027024220/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1151026/jsp/nation/story_49690.jsp#.V4Xuh_l97IU|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 October 2015|title=Saran win}}{{cite web |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/election-live-2014-march-13/|title=Rudy defeats Rabri Devi|date=14 March 2014}} following which he was sworn-in as Minister of State on 9 November 2014 and got Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.{{cite web | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-cabinet-expansion-manohar-parrikar-gets-defence-harsh-vardhan-transferred-from-health-to-science-ministry-2033647 | title=Cabinet Expansion: Manohar Parrikar gets Defence, Harsh Vardhan transferred from Health to Science Ministry | date=10 November 2014 | access-date=5 December 2014 | location=New Delhi | publisher=PTI }}

In 2014, Rudy became the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in Narendra Modi's government. Simultaneously he also shared Parliamentary Affairs department jointly with Minister of State, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. Rudy was a General Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party, a position relinquished soon after he joined the government. Rudy is a trained pilot and holds a commercial pilot's license. He is featured in the Limca Book of Records as the only parliamentarian to fly a commercial aircraft, an Airbus-320 of Indigo airlines.{{Cite news |title=We politicians have betrayed nation: Rajiv Pratap Rudy - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/we-politicians-have-betrayed-nation-rajiv-pratap-rudy/articleshow/33883140.cms |website=The Times of India|date=18 April 2014 }}{{cite news |date=10 April 2015 |title=Lunch with BS: Rajiv Pratap Rudy |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/lunch-with-bs-rajiv-pratap-rudy-115041000958_1.html |newspaper=Business Standard India}}

Controversies

During that tenure as Civil Aviation Minister, Rudy was in controversy of non-payment of his bills at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa, which he had to later pay.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/nation/story/20040223-rajiv-pratap-rudy-non-payment-of-hotel-bill-creates-controversy-790591-2004-02-23|title=Hotel bill row: BJP defends Rajiv Pratap Rudy, political slugfest kicks off|date=February 23, 2004 |magazine=India Today}} In October 2015, Rajiv Pratap Rudy was in a controversy over sharing on Twitter a screenshot of Pakistan's daily Dawn website carrying Nitish Kumar's ad of vote appeal during 2015 Bihar Legislative Assembly election, prompting JD (U) to launch a sharp attack on him and seek his immediate sacking.{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/bihar/failed-by-a-screenshot-rajiv-pratap-rudy-faces-digital-jibes-1238562|title=Failed By a Screenshot, Rajiv Pratap Rudy Faces Digital Jibes}} He submitted his resignation from the cabinet on 31 August 2017 prior to imminent reshuffle on 2 September 2017.

In May 2021, Rajiv Pratap Rudy was criticized when 30 unused ambulances were found parked at his Amnour Vishw-Prabha community centre, even when Bihar was struggling under second wave of COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/coronavirus-in-bihar-pappu-yadav-bjp-mp-trade-words-over-unused-ambulances-2437571|title=In Bihar, Pappu Yadav, BJP MP Trade Words Over Unused Ambulances}} These ambulances were purchased using funds from the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS).{{cite web|url=https://theprint.in/politics/no-drivers-says-bjps-rajiv-pratap-rudy-after-pappu-yadav-targets-him-for-idle-ambulance-fleet/654684/|title=No drivers, says BJP's Rajiv Pratap Rudy after Pappu Yadav targets him for idle ambulance fleet|website=ThePrint |date=8 May 2021 }} Jan Adhikar Party chief Pappu Yadav raided that community centre run by Rudy.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/rudy-to-pappu-spare-drivers-for-ambulances/articleshow/82463874.cms|title=Rudy to Pappu: Spare drivers for ambulances|newspaper=The Times of India |date=8 May 2021 }}