Today marks the birthday of Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister of the country and a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Born on October 22, 1964, into a Gujarati family in Mumbai, Amit Shah's life has been filled with struggles and political determination.
New Delhi: Today is the birthday of the country's Union Home Minister, Amit Shah. He was born on October 22, 1964, to Gujarati couple Kusum Ben and Anilchandra Shah, who resided in Mumbai. Amit Shah's grandfather, Gaekwad, was a wealthy merchant (Nagar Seth) from the princely state of Mansa in Baroda. Despite his family's business background, Amit Shah stepped into the world of politics and gradually carved out a distinct identity through his hard work and strategic acumen.
Early Life and Family
Amit Shah was born in Mumbai to Kusum Ben and Anilchandra Shah. His grandfather, Gaekwad, was a wealthy merchant (Nagar Seth) from the princely state of Mansa in Baroda. Until the age of 16, Amit Shah lived in his ancestral village of Mansa, where he received his early education. His mother, a devout Gandhian who taught him to wear Khadi and instilled a sense of patriotism, had a profound influence on his life.
Association with the Sangh and Political Beginnings
Amit Shah's public life began in 1980 when he was just 16 years old. He started his political journey by joining the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a young volunteer. During this period, he also became associated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). In 1982, Shah was made the Joint Secretary of ABVP's Gujarat unit. In 1984, he worked as a polling agent for the BJP. In 1987, Amit Shah joined the BJP's Yuva Morcha (Youth Wing) and came into contact with social reformer Nanaji Deshmukh, who helped him develop his working style and leadership capabilities.
In 1989, Amit Shah was made the Secretary of BJP's Ahmedabad unit. At that time, the politics of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement and the Ekta Yatra were prevalent across the country. Shah adeptly fulfilled his responsibilities in these movements. He also played a crucial role in the election management of Lal Krishna Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Political Collaboration with Narendra Modi
During the rapid rise of the BJP in Gujarat in the 1990s, Amit Shah came into contact with Narendra Modi. Modi was the party's organization secretary in Gujarat, and Shah remained associated with him in membership drives and organizational expansion. In 1997, Amit Shah was made the National Treasurer of the Yuva Morcha, and in the same year, the BJP fielded him as its candidate in the Sarkhej assembly by-election. He won by a margin of 25,000 votes, becoming an MLA for the first time. From then until 2012, he continuously strengthened his hold by winning every election.
In 1998, Shah became the State Secretary of Gujarat BJP, and within a year, he was given the responsibility of State Vice President. In the 2002 assembly elections, Amit Shah was entrusted with organizing the 'Gaurav Yatra'. Subsequently, he held important ministries such as Home, Transport, Prohibition, Parliamentary Affairs, Law, and Excise departments.
In 2009, he was appointed Vice President of the Gujarat Cricket Association, and after Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, he became the association's president. In 2013, the BJP appointed him as National General Secretary.
Test of Strategy in the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections
In 2014, when Narendra Modi became the Prime Ministerial candidate, Amit Shah was appointed in-charge of Uttar Pradesh. Due to his strategy and organizational efficiency, the BJP secured 73 seats in UP, and its vote share reached 42%. Subsequently, on July 9, 2014, he was appointed the National President of the BJP, a position he held until 2020.
In 2017, Amit Shah was elected as a Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat. In 2019, he contested the Lok Sabha elections for the first time from Gandhinagar and defeated his closest rival by 5,57,000 votes, securing a 70% vote share. This victory was a testament to his b public support and strategic acumen.
In 2019, Amit Shah became the Union Home Minister of the country. In this role, he took several historic decisions to strengthen the nation's internal security and law and order. His tenure is considered an example of discipline and dedication. As Home Minister, Shah undertook many significant steps in reforming armed forces and central agencies, civil protection, state cooperation, and internal security matters.
