Raghubar Das, born on 3 May 1955, is a prominent Indian politician who has left an indelible mark on the political landscape of Jharkhand. This article delves deep into the life and career of Raghubar Das, tracing his journey from a Tata Steel employee to becoming the 26th Governor of Odisha.
Early Life and Education
Raghubar Das was born to Chavan Ram (father), a laborer with a steel company, and Sonbatti Das (mother) on 3 May 1955, at TMH Hospital Jamshedpur. He belonged to the Teli caste and embarked on his educational journey at Bhalubasa Harijan High School. He completed his B.Sc. from Jamshedpur Cooperative College and pursued a law degree (LLB) from the same institution. Following his studies, he joined Tata Steel as a legal professional, a significant phase in his life.
Raghubar Das Net Worth
Raghubar Das’ net worth in 2023 is estimated to be in the range of $1 million to $5 million. This information reflects his financial status as of the given year and is a result of his career in both politics and his previous professional endeavors, including his association with Tata Steel. Please note that these figures are approximate and subject to change over time based on various factors and financial investments.
Raghubar Das Wife
Raghubar Das’ wife is Rukmini Devi. She is the First Lady of Jharkhand during Raghubar Das’ tenure as the Chief Minister of the state. Rukmini Devi has maintained a relatively private life, and not much information about her is readily available in the public domain.
Raghubar Das Children
Raghubar Das and his wife, Rukmini Devi, have two children named Renu Kumari and Lalit Kumar.
Entry into Politics
Raghubar Das’ tryst with politics began during his college days when he actively participated in the Total Revolution movement led by Jayprakash Narayan. His commitment to this cause led to his arrest and imprisonment during the Emergency imposed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. In 1977, he joined the Janata Party, marking the first step in his political career.
Embrace of the BJP
In 1980, Raghubar Das became a founding member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His early contributions to the party included attending the first National Committee meeting of the BJP in Mumbai. He was appointed as the chief of the Sitaramdera unit in Jamshedpur. Over time, he ascended through the party ranks, serving as the city chief secretary, vice president of Jamshedpur, BJP secretary, and eventually becoming the vice president.
Legislative Career
Raghubar Das was elected as a member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1995, representing the Jamshedpur East constituency. He went on to win from the same constituency a remarkable five times. In 2004, he was appointed as the Chief of BJP in Jharkhand. Under his leadership, the BJP secured 30 seats in the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly election in 2005, and he also assumed the role of Urban Development Minister during the NDA government.
Deputy Chief Minister and Rise to Power
From 30 December 2009 to 29 May 2010, during Shibu Soren’s tenure as the chief minister, Raghubar Das held the office of Deputy Chief Minister of Jharkhand. His political prowess continued to grow, and in 2014, he was appointed as the vice president in the National Committee of BJP. His assets were reported to be around Rs. 21 lakh, signifying his commitment to public service.
Chief Minister of Jharkhand
The pinnacle of Raghubar Das’ political career came when the BJP secured a majority in the 2014 Jharkhand Legislative Assembly election. On 28 December 2014, he was sworn in as the sixth and the first non-tribal chief minister of the state. His leadership brought a new era to Jharkhand’s politics.
2019 Setback and a New Role
In the 2019 Jharkhand Legislative Assembly election, held in December, the BJP, under his leadership, managed to win only 25 seats out of 81 assembly seats. Ultimately, he had to resign as the Chief Minister. This marked a significant setback in his political career as he lost to Saryu Rai, an ex-leader of BJP, who ran as an independent candidate from the Jamshedpur East constituency and won with more than 15,000 votes.
The 26th Governor of Odisha
On 18 October 2023, Raghubar Das was appointed as the 26th Governor of Odisha, marking a new chapter in his journey.
Conclusion
Raghubar Das’ life is a testament to his unwavering commitment to public service and his remarkable journey from a Tata Steel employee to the political powerhouse he became. His achievements and setbacks have left an indelible mark on the political landscape of Jharkhand and India.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What were Raghubar Das’ early career and educational background?
Raghubar Das started his career as an employee of Tata Steel and completed his education with a B.Sc. from Jamshedpur Cooperative College and an LLB degree from the same institution.
2. How did Raghubar Das become involved in politics?
He began his political journey during his college days when he participated in the Total Revolution movement led by Jayprakash Narayan. He was arrested and imprisoned during the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi.
3. What is Raghubar Das’ connection to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)?
Raghubar Das became a founding member of the BJP in 1980. He held various leadership positions within the party and played a crucial role in its growth.
4. How many times did Raghubar Das win the Jamshedpur East constituency?
Raghubar Das won from the Jamshedpur East constituency five times as a member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly.
5. What is Raghubar Das’ most recent political role?
As of October 2023, Raghubar Das serves as the 26th Governor of Odisha.
