Kiren Rijiju: From activist to popular leader

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: Union Minister and BJP candidate Kiren Rijiju and his party’s sitting MP Tapir Gao won both the Arunachal Pradesh Lok Sabha seats. The political career of Kiren Rijiju, the Union minister and BJP candidate who won the Arunachal West Lok Sabha seat, is a riveting story of tenacity, commitment and leadership.

Born on November 19, 1971, in Nakhu Village of West Kameng district in Arunachal Pradesh, Rijiju has gone a long way from modest beginnings to a prominent player in Indian politics.

After completing his undergraduate studies at Hansraj College under Delhi University, he went on to the varsity's Faculty of Law campus to obtain his law degree (LLB). Along with developing his academic abilities, his time in school helped him develop his physical abilities, and he still enjoys playing football and badminton in particular.

Rijiju first entered politics in 2004 and won a seat in the 14th Lok Sabha, representing the Arunachal West constituency. During his term, he showed a strong attention to the interests of his citizens and a commitment to enhancing government and infrastructure. His perseverance was evident when he joined the Congress and acted as an advisor to former chief minister Dorjee Khandu, despite a setback in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

With his comeback to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rijiju's career entered a new phase. Re-elected to the Lok Sabha in 2014, he profited from the strategic northeast focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and emerged as a key player in the 'Look East' policy.  In his capacity as the state minister for Home Affairs from 2014 to 2019, he played a pivotal role in tackling domestic security issues and advocating for development projects in the northeast. His subsequent appointments to the positions of Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports, and Minister of State (Minority Affairs) had shown his adaptability and dedication to a variety of responsibilities.

During his stint as Law Minister (2021 2023), Rijiju was well-known for his candid opinions about the judiciary and the collegium system. Rijiju's appointment as the Cabinet Minister of Earth Sciences in May 2023 emphasized his significance inside the national government.  It is indicative of the confidence that has been placed in him to supervise important matters of environmental science and policy, fields that are essential to India's sustainable growth.

Also Read: Arunachal Pradesh: Kiren Rijiju Clarifies Statement on Chakma-Hajong (sentinelassam.com)

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