Sarbananda Sonowal is an Indian politician who has played a significant role in the political landscape of Assam and India. Here are detailed aspects of his life and career:
Early Life and Education
- Date of Birth: October 31, 1971
- Place of Birth: Jagiroad, Assam, India
- Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree: He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts from Dibrugarh University, Assam.
- Master’s Degree: He completed his Master’s in Political Science from Gauhati University, Assam.
Political Career
- Early Political Involvement:
- Sonowal began his political career as a student leader, actively participating in student unions and protests during his time at college.
- Indian National Congress:
- Initially, he was involved with the Indian National Congress (INC) party. He served as the president of the Assam State Youth Congress.
- Assam Gana Parishad (AGP):
- Later, Sonowal joined the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), a regional political party in Assam, where he became an influential leader.
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP):
- He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2011. His association with the BJP marked a significant shift in his political trajectory.
- Member of Parliament: He was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Dibrugarh constituency in the 2014 general elections.
- Ministerial Roles:
- Union Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs: During his tenure in the central government, he served as the Union Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs from 2014 to 2016.
- Union Minister of State for Shipping: He also held the position of Union Minister of State for Shipping.
- Chief Minister of Assam:
- First Term: Sarbananda Sonowal became the Chief Minister of Assam in May 2016, leading the BJP to victory in the state assembly elections.
- Re-election: He was re-elected in 2021, serving a second term until May 2021.
Achievements and Contributions
- Focus on Development:
- As Chief Minister, Sonowal emphasized infrastructure development, education, and healthcare in Assam.
- He worked on projects aimed at improving connectivity in the region, including road and bridge construction.
- Efforts in Managing Floods:
- His tenure saw efforts to address the perennial issue of flooding in Assam, with various initiatives aimed at better flood management and relief measures.
- Cultural and Socio-economic Initiatives:
- He supported various cultural and socio-economic initiatives to promote Assam’s heritage and improve the quality of life for its residents.
Personal Life
- Family: Sonowal is married to Riniki Bhuyan Sonowal, who is a prominent social worker and entrepreneur. The couple has a daughter.
- Public Image:
- Sarbananda Sonowal is known for his charismatic leadership and commitment to the development of Assam.
- He is recognized for his ability to connect with the common people and address regional issues effectively.
Recent Developments
- Current Position: As of 2024, Sarbananda Sonowal is serving as the Union Minister of Shipping, Waterways, and Ayush in the central government.