Vijay Patel

Vijay Patel Biography

Vijay Patel is a noted politician from Gujarat, belonging to Bharatiya Janata Party. He remained an influential figure in politics since 1980s, and has been elected to state assembly and Lok Sabha. He came to limelight after defeating Hindi superstar Rajesh Khanna in a by-election for Gandhinagar Loksabha in 1996. Khanna represented INC then. He is an eligible lawyer too, who has served as President of Gujarat High Court Advocates' Association and Chairman of Bar Council of Gujarat. His father Harish Chandra Patel was a noted politician from Gujarat, who served as the Speaker of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly from 1995 to 1996, and remained MLA from Sarkhej twice.

Vijay Harish Chandra Patel was born on 27 April 1960, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He was born into a very influential family of Gujarat associated with freedom struggle movement and politics.  He completed Chemical Engineering from DDIT Nadiad and L.L.B. from Sir L.A. Shah Law College, Ahmedabad. His grandfather Lavjibhai Narandas Patel was a freedom fighter who also served as the President of Congress Party in the year 1930. His father Harish Chandra Patel was a freedom fighter and parliamentarian. Harish was also associated with freedom struggle movement, particularly Quit India Movement as a student.

He entered active politics in the 1990s, when he defeated Rajesh Khanna of Indian national congress in by-elections 1996. His win in the election was much hyped in media then. In 1998, he joined state assembly for the first time, winning state assembly elections. Since then he is known for his support to Narendra Modi, who served as Chief Minister then. He defended Narendra Modi during 2002 elections. After his active career in politics, now he is concentered most into his law practice.

Published: September 18, 2018

Updated: September 18, 2018