Bangaru Laxman

Bangaru Laxman Biography

Bangaru Laxman was an Indian politician from Andhra Pradesh who was associated with Bharatiya Janta Party. He was the former president of Samata Party who had to resign that post following Operation West End controversy in 2001, the first sting operation done by Tehelka magazine. On April 27, 2012, a special CBI court convicted Bangaru Laxman of corruption charges and the court sentenced him to four year of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Indian rupees one lakh. A parliamentarian and union minister as well, he served as a minister of state for railways in Government of India from 1999 to 2000.

Bangaru Laxman was born on 17 March 1939 in Andhra Pradesh as the son of B. Narasimha and B. Shivamma. After completing his graduation he pursued law studies. After studies he joined Electricity Department of government sector and worked there for many years before he turned active in politics. He married Susheela Laxman Bangaru, who also turned active in politics after marriage. She is a former parliamentarian who was a member of 14th Lok Sabha, representing Bharatiya Janta Party. He got elected to Rajya Sabha from Jalore constituency in Rajasthan in 1996, after which he became a union minister holding the portfolio of railways. The couple has 4 children.

Laxman joined politics as a member of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh during student days. He joined RSS in 1953 at the age of 12. Like many politicians belonging to Janata Party he was arrested and jailed during emergency in 1975. As a political leader he rose to prominent in the second half of 1990s, when he got elected to Rajya Sabha for the first time in 1996.

Published: January 22, 2019

Updated: January 22, 2019