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Who is Manohar Lal Khattar?
Manohar Lal Khattar is an Indian politician who is the Union Minister of Power and also holds the Housing and Urban Affairs portfolio under the newly formed regime after the recent Lok Sabha election, he has previously served as the Chief Minister of Haryana from 2014 till March, 2024. Khattar won the Karnal seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections with 54.93 per cent of vote share, defeating Congress candidate Divyanshu Budhiraja. Born on May 5, 1954, in Rohtak district, Haryana, Khattar comes from an agricultural background. His journey from a small village to becoming the leader of one of India's most economically significant states.
Education
Education
Khattar completed his early education in his village before moving to Rohtak for higher studies. He graduated from Neki Ram Sharma Government College in Rohtak. This period of his life instilled in him a deep understanding of the challenges faced by rural and middle-class families, which would later influence his political ideology and governance style. Before entering politics full-time, Khattar had a diverse career path. He worked as a shop assistant and later became a businessman. However, his inclination towards social service and nationalist ideology led him to join the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1977. His involvement with the RSS played a crucial role in shaping his political philosophy and organizational skills.
Political career
Khattar's political journey began in earnest when he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1994. He quickly rose through the party ranks, demonstrating his organizational capabilities and commitment to the party's ideology. His efficient management of party affairs and ability to connect with grassroots workers caught the attention of senior BJP leaders, including PM Modi. The turning point in Khattar's political career came in 2014 when the BJP decided to field him as a candidate in the Haryana Assembly elections. Despite being a first-time contestant, he won from the Karnal constituency with a significant margin. His victory coincided with the BJP's first-ever majority in Haryana, leading to his surprising elevation as the state's Chief Minister.
As Chief Minister, Khattar has focused on several key areas, including transparency in governance, digital initiatives, and rural development. His administration has been credited with implementing various welfare schemes and pushing for infrastructure development. However, his tenure has not been without challenges, including handling of law and order situations. He is known for his simple lifestyle and accessibility to the public, traits that have endeared him to many voters. His background as an RSS 'pracharak' (full-time worker) has influenced his governance style.
Under Khattar's leadership, Haryana has seen significant economic growth and improvement in ease of doing business rankings. His government has focused on attracting investments and promoting Haryana as a business-friendly state. Khattar's tenure has also been marked by some controversies, particularly regarding his handling of certain law and order situations and some of his public statements. Despite these challenges, he has managed to maintain his position and was re-elected as Chief Minister in 2019, showcasing his political resilience and the BJP's continued trust in his leadership.