Cong's loss is Modi's gain; Birender Singh inducted in Modi's Cabinet
Singh ended his 40-year long association with Congress this year after Congress chose Bhupinder Singh Hooda over Birender Singh as the Chief Minister of Haryana in 2004.
What even worsened his ties with the party was that he was denied a ministerial berth in Manmohan Singh's Government in 2010. Singh is a well known leader and is very popular leader among the Jat community in Haryana.
The Jat leader however was given a high post in the Congress Working Committee but was later expelled this year after he grew close to the BJP.
The 68-year-old leader is the grandson of well known peasant leader Chotu Ram. Singh has a law degree from Punjab University. He is also a well known leader among the Jat community in Haryana.
Birender Singh's elevation as the Union Cabinet minister is being seen as a move by the BJP to woo Jats in Haryana, Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh.
OneIndia News