Jai Ram Thakur

Jai Ram Thakur
Leader of the Opposition, Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Incumbent
Assumed office 25 December 2022
Governor	Rajendra Arlekar Shiv Pratap Shukla
Chief Minister	Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
Preceded by	Mukesh Agnihotri
6th Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh
In office 27 December 2017 – 11 December 2022
Preceded by	Virbhadra Singh
Succeeded by	Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
Member of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Incumbent
Assumed office 25 December 2012 (2012-12-25)
Preceded by	Constituency established
Constituency	Seraj
In office 24 March 1998 (1998-03-24) – 22 January 2012
Preceded by	Moti Ram
Succeeded by	Constituency abolished
Constituency	Chachiot
Personal details
Born	(1965-01-06) 6 January 1965 (age 59) Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
Nationality	Indian
Political party	Bharatiya Janata Party
Spouse	Dr. Sadhana Thakur
Children	2
Residence(s)	Village Tandi, P.O. & Tehsil Thunag Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh
Alma mater	Vallabh Government College, Mandi Panjab University, Chandigarh
Website	himachal.nic.in/en-IN/chief-minister.html

Jai Ram Thakur (born 6 January 1965) is an Indian politician, and was the Chief Minister of the state of Himachal Pradesh from 2017 to 2022. He is serving his sixth term as MLA in the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, winning continuously since 1998 and has previously served as a Cabinet Minister in the Bharatiya Janata Party Government of Himachal Pradesh. Thakur was the Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj from 2009 to 2012. He is serving as Leader of opposition in current legislative assembly of the state.He is elected to Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Seraj Assembly constituency of Mandi district. He won his first election in the year 1998 from now delimited constituency of Chachiot (Seraj).

Early life and education

Jai Ram Thakur was born into a Rajput farming family to Late Shri Jethu Ram Thakur and Briku Devi. Raised in Tandi, he faced economic challenges during his childhood. Thakur pursued his primary education at Kurani School and later graduated with a B.A. from Vallabh Government College, Mandi. Subsequently, he earned a post-graduate degree (M.A.) from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Jai Ram Thakur is married to Dr. Sadhna Thakur, and the couple is blessed with two daughters. Dr. Sadhna Thakur, a doctor by profession, and the daughters have been actively involved in their educational pursuits, both studying medicine in Himachal Pradesh.

Political career

Jai Ram Thakur's political journey commenced during his college years when he became associated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). His affiliation with ABVP laid the foundation for a long and distinguished political career. Thakur held various key positions in ABVP, including Joint Secretary, State ABVP, and Organizing Secretary, ABVP (J&K). This early association with student activism marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to public service.

Transitioning into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Thakur continued to climb the political ladder. His roles in the party included Secretary, State Bharatiya Janata Party Yuva Morcha, President of the State Bhartiya Janata Party Yuva Morcha, Vice President of State BJP, and ultimately serving as the State President of Bharatiya Janata Party from 2006 to 2009.

In 1998, Jai Ram Thakur was elected to the State Legislative Assembly for the first time. His electoral success continued with consecutive victories in 2003, 2007, 2012, 2017, and most recently in 2022. Over the years, he represented the Chachiot Assembly Constituency, which, after delimitation, became Seraj.

His legislative career was marked by active participation and contributions in various capacities. Thakur served as Chairman of the Rural Planning Committee and held memberships in crucial House Committees. As a Member of the Legislative Assembly, he prioritized issues related to rural development, education, and public welfare.

Chief Ministerial of Himachal Pradesh

In the 2017 Assembly elections, the BJP won a strong majority, but its Chief Ministerial candidate, Prem Kumar Dhumal, unexpectedly lost in the Sujanpur assembly segment. Despite this setback, Jai Ram Thakur, with his strong connections to the RSS and a solid political background, emerged as the favorite for the top post. He became the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, the first from Mandi district, and the sixth overall, taking office on December 27, 2017.

During his tenure, he focused on rural development, tourism, health, education, and infrastructure. He also faced challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the farmers protest, and the leadership change speculation.

Post Chief Ministership and as Leader of Opposition

Following the 2022 legislative elections, wherein the Bharatiya Janata Party faced defeat, Jai Ram Thakur gracefully resigned from the position of Chief Minister. However, his political stature remained intact, and he was asked to continue in his post by the Governor until a new Chief Minister was selected. Thakur accepted the role of the Leader of the Opposition in the legislative assembly.

Special interests and favorite pastime

Beyond politics, Jai Ram Thakur has shown a special interest in social service, exemplified by his active involvement in organizing blood donation camps. His favorite pastimes include listening to old songs, performing one-act plays, and enjoying excursions.

Languages known

Fluent in Hindi and English, Jai Ram Thakur's communication skills have been an asset in connecting with diverse segments of the population.

Gallery

• 
  The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Jai Ram Thakur calling on the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, in New Delhi on January 27, 2018
• 
  The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Jai Ram Thakur calling on the Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal, in New Delhi on May 2, 2018
• 
  The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Jai Ram Thakur calling on the Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Prakash Javadekar, in New Delhi on September 6, 2018
• 
  The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Jai Ram Thakur meeting the Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, in New Delhi on July 17, 2018
• 
  Raj Kumar Singh releasing the booklet “State Distribution Utilities - Sixth Annual Integrated Rating”, at the Conference of Power and New & Renewable Energy Ministers of States & UTs, in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
• 
  The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu addressing the ninth Indian Youth Science Congress, in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh
• 
  Prime Minister Modi participates in ‘Abhar Samaroh’, at Sissu, in Himachal Pradesh on October 3, 2020. The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh is also seen
• 
  The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi dedicates to the nation the world's longest highway tunnel - Atal Tunnel, in Manali, Himachal Pradesh on October 3, 2020

See also

• Jai Ram Thakur ministry

References