Amit Shah

Amit Shah Biography

Amit Shah is an influential politician of Bharatiya Janata Party who currently serves as the Party general secretary. He is the former Minister of State for Home Affairs of Gujarat under Chief Minister Narendra Modi. But he had to resign the post in 2010 for ordering a series of encounter killings by Gujarat State Police. Shah was charged, arrested and jailed in the Sohrabuddin case. He also served as campaign manager for Uttar Pradesh during general elections, 2014 which drew nationwide attention. He is often referred to as "Modern-day Chanakya and master strategist" of BJP. He is a close associative of Modi and among those prominent leaders of the party whose careers have been resurrected by the recent "Modi-fication" of the BJP.

He was born in a wealthy family in Mumbai in 1964. His father was a businessman. Amit completed graduation in Biochemistry. After studies, he worked as a stock broker for some time. It was during this time when he came close to BJP politician, L. K. Advani. He also served as manager of election campaigns from Gandhinagar. As a politician he has served as RSS volunteer and a leader of the BJP's youth wing, ABVP. Later he became ‘Chairman of the Gujarat State Finance Corporation Limited’, the youngest person to be selected for the post. He has also managed election campaigns of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1996.

He quickly emerged as the influential leader of the party. He won 2002 assembly elections and 2007 elections too. In 2003, after the win of BJP in general elections, he was inducted as the youngest minister in the cabinet and given 10 portfolios. During election campaigns of 2014, he gained quick attention from the public and known for his charismatic powers to draw people towards ‘Modi Magic’. In the Assembly elections of 2014, he has played a major role in the historic win of Bharateeya Janata Party.

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Updated: May 16, 2014