Rakesh Pandey (politician)
Rakesh Pandey is a five time incumbent MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) of Punjab from Ludhiana North and Vice President of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee.
Born in 1955, Rakesh Pandey entered active politics in 1987 as President, District Youth Congress Committee, Ludhiana, Punjab. He followed the illustrious footsteps of his esteemed father, Joginder Pall Pandey, who was a Freedom Fighter and active in Indian politics since the 1950s, and held various Ministerial positions in the Indian government, until his assassination by terrorists in 1987.
In 1992, Pandey was elected MLA from Ludhiana North Assembly Constituency for Punjab assembly for the first time. He has created a history in Ludhiana by winning four times continuously from this constituency. His margin of victory of 23,000 votes was a record during the 2002 election.
In 1994, he was appointed Chairman, Punjab Agro-Industries Corporation. He was elevated as President, District Congress Committee [Urban], Ludhiana in 1998 and he continued as such till 2000 and then as Secretary, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee.
Pandey has constantly maintained a peerless record of being a dynamic reformer in the fields of social and education activities.
He has been associated with the following social organizations in different capacities :
- Patron-in-chief : Ludhiana Citizens' Council
- Patron-in-chief : Sahir Culture Academy, Ludhiana
- President : Shri Radha Krishna Mandir
- Vice President : Sanatan Dharam Pritinidhi Sabha, Punjab
- Gen. Secretary : Sanatan Dharam Education Board
- Gen. Secretary : Punjab Qaumi Ekta Committee
- Trustee : Sehegal Memorial Trust, Ludhiana
- Trustee : Pandey Memorial Trust, Ludhiana
- Member : Nehru Sidhant Kendra Trust, Ludhiana
He has served the people of Punjab and represented Ludhiana in the Punjab State Cabinet of Ministers.
Under his dynamic Leadership as Minister of State, the Department of Industrial Training revolutionized the process of giving industrial and vocational training to the youth of Punjab. A vast network of industrial/ vocational institutes was established in the State of Punjab. He also held the portfolio of Science & Technology and Horticulture Department until 2007.
Political career
Born on 7 May 1955, Rakesh Pandey entered active politics in 1987 as President, District Youth Congress Committee, Ludhiana, Punjab. He followed in the footsteps of his father, Joginder Pal Pandey.
In 1994, he was appointed Chairman, Punjab Agro-Industries Corporation. He was promoted to President of the District Congress Committee (Urban), Ludhiana in 1998. In 2000 he became Secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee.
He also serves as Minister of State and represented Ludhiana in the Punjab State Cabinet of Ministers.