Amit Shah

Amitbhai Anilchandra Shah, the former President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and India’s Home Minister was born on October 22, 1964, to a Gujarati couple, Kusum Ben and Anilchandra Shah, residing in Mumbai. Shah's grandfather was a prosperous merchant in Mansa, a small princely state within the Baroda State of Gaikwad.

Until he turned 16, Shah lived in his ancestral village of Mansa in Gujarat, where he received his primary education. His early schooling followed the 'Indian Value Tradition' under the guidance of notable scholars of the Gaikwad State. Throughout his life, Shah remained devoted to studying Indian philosophy and texts.

Following the completion of his primary education, Shah's family relocated to Ahmedabad. His mother, an ardent Gandhian, deeply influenced his life, inspiring him to embrace Khadi. During his youth, Shah immersed himself in the biographies of numerous patriots, profoundly affected by their love for the nation. He also found inspiration in the writings of K.M. Munshi.

At just 13 years old, during the 1977 general elections amid the emergency period, Shah actively engaged in the election campaign, supporting Maniben Patel, daughter of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, by putting up campaign materials for her candidacy.

Shah, who also owns a flourished business empire, PVC pipelines started taking an interest in politics publicly at 16 in 1980 when he joined as a young Swayamsevak of the Sangh. His stint in RSS led him to meet Modi in 1982. He was also associated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, serving as joint secretary of the Gujarat unit in 1982. Shah's involvement with the BJP began in 1984 when he served as a polling agent. Subsequently, he joined the BJP's Yuva Morcha in 1987.

Due to his diligent nature, Shah was also associated with the Deendayal Research Institute during the eighties, serving as treasurer for eight years. His association with the institute allowed him to closely observe the working style of social reformer Nanaji Deshmukh.

In 1989, Shah became the BJP secretary of the Ahmedabad unit and actively participated in movements like the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement and Ekta Yatra. He efficiently managed election campaigns for leaders like LK Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

During the nineties, Shah's influence in Gujarat politics grew as he played various roles within the BJP, including chairperson of Gujarat Pradesh Finance Corporation in 1995, where he significantly improved its financial standing.

In 1997, Shah became the National Treasurer of the BJP's Yuva Morcha and won his first assembly election, retaining his seat till 2012. He held key positions within the Gujarat BJP, becoming state vice-president in a short span.

In 2000, Shah became the youngest chairperson of Ahmedabad District Co-operative Bank, turning around its financial situation and earning profits. He played a crucial role in the BJP's victories in the Gujarat elections and held important ministerial portfolios, contributing to police modernization and crime reduction.

Shah's interests in cricket and chess led him to chair the Chess Association in 2006 and serve as Vice-Chairman of the Gujarat Cricket Association. He emphasized promoting chess in schools, leading to a national chess competition held in Gujarat.

As Home Minister of Gujarat, Shah prioritised security but faced false accusations and spent time in jail before being acquitted. Despite challenges, he continued to serve in various capacities within the BJP, becoming National President in 2014.

During his tenure, Shah focused on strengthening the BJP organisationally, implementing innovative strategies, and expanding the party's presence across states. He played a pivotal role in the BJP's victories in multiple states and was re-elected as National President in 2016.

Shah's electoral strategy contributed to the BJP's success in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, expanding its footprint in several prominent states like Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Gujarat. He is now believed to be PM Modi's most trusted ally. He contested and won the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha polls by a margin of over three lakh votes, eviscerating his rival INC candidate C.J Chavda. He was sworn in at 54 and became the youngest serving full-time home minister.

Shah has served four terms as the MLA of Sarkhej and held several pertinent portfolios in the state government during Modi's tenure as chief minister of Gujarat.

As Home Minister, Shah tackled security challenges effectively, resolving longstanding issues like Article 370 and introducing key legislation. He also focused on disaster management and combating the drug trade.

In December 2019, he introduced the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, which grants Indian citizenship to religiously persecuted minority communities who migrated to the country before 2015 from the Muslim-majority countries of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.

Given his expertise in the cooperative sector, Shah was appointed to lead the Ministry of Cooperation in 2021, aiming to modernise the cooperative movement and boost agricultural growth.

In the 2024 general elections, he won from the Gandhinagar seat by a margin of about 7.4 lakh votes. Following this victory, he was appointed as State Minister, handling both the portfolios of Home Affairs and Cooperation

Beyond politics, Shah enjoys various interests, including food, old film songs, and chess. He maintains a disciplined work ethic and remains committed to studying history and spirituality.