Vajubhai Vala

Vajubhai Vala Biography

Vajubhai Vala is an Indian politician from Gujarat who serves as the Governor of the state of Karnataka since September 2014. He earlier served as the Speaker of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly from 2012 to 2014, before he was appointed as Governor of Karnataka. Vala is a senior politician associated with Bharatiya Janata Party. He has been elected to Gujarat state assembly multiple times, and has given different portfolios too, serving as state minister. He handled the portfolios, finance, labour and employment, from 1997 to 2012 during his term as Gujarat MLA & Minister.

In 2018 he got into controversies, when he invited BJP to form government, though the largest post poll alliance consisting of the Indian National Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) also came forward to form the power. He came to limelight when the news was highlighted in the national media.

Vajubhai Vala was born in Rajkot of present day Gujarat state on 13 January 1939. His political career started in the 1960s as a student leader associated with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He subsequently joined Jan Sangh in 1971. During Emergency period, he was jailed for many months. He rose to prominence in the 1980s when he served as the Mayor of his hometown, Rajkot. After that he contested in state assembly elections many times from his hometown and won it too.

Within the state politics, he rose to prominence in the 1990s, and also served as the finance minister for two terms. He also got opportunity to present budget in Gujarat Legislative Assembly; 18 times as the finance minister. Thus he remains one of the top finance ministers of Gujarat state since independence. He has also served as the Chairman of Rajkot Nagarik Sahakari Bank, many times.

Published: September 18, 2018

Updated: September 18, 2018