Bhupinder Singh Hooda

Bhupinder Singh Hooda is a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress, best known for serving as the Chief Minister of Haryana from 2004 to 2014. His second term began in October 2009, marking a significant moment in Haryana's political history as it was the first time since 1972 that the electorate returned a ruling party to power.

Born in Sanghi village in the Rohtak district of Haryana, he is the son of Chaudhary Ranbir Singh Hooda and Har Devi Hooda. His father was a well-known freedom fighter. Shri Hooda completed his early education at Sainik School, Balachadi, in Jamnagar, Gujarat, and later graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Panjab University in Chandigarh. He pursued further studies in law at the prestigious Faculty of Law, University of Delhi.

His political journey began with the Youth Congress. He was elected as a Member of Parliament from the Rohtak Lok Sabha constituency for four terms in 1991, 1996, 1998, and 2004. He served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Haryana Legislative Assembly from 2001 to 2004 and was the President of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) from 1996 to 2001. Notably, he triumphed over Ch. Devi Lal in three consecutive Lok Sabha elections in 1991, 1996, and 1998, all held in the Jat heartland of Rohtak.

In addition to his political roles, he is a Member of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana. In 2010, he was appointed chairman of the Working Group on Agriculture Production by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, tasked with recommending strategies and actions for the agricultural sector.

He has held several other significant positions, including President of the All India Young Farmers’ Association in Haryana, a former Director of the Bank of India from 1989 to 1992, and Secretary of the Farmers’ Parliamentary Forum from 1991 onwards. He is a founding member and Working President of the All India Freedom Fighters’ Successors’ Organization and has served as the Working President of the National Federation Railway Porters, Vendors, and Bearers. He has also been elected President of the Khadi & Village Industries Commission Employees Union and Patron of the National Khadi & Village Industries Board’s Employees Federation, which is an apex body for all state board employee unions.

In an effort to promote Olympic sports among the youth, Shri Hooda announced cash awards for Haryana athletes winning medals at the London Games.

He married Smt Asha Dahiya in 1976. The couple has two children: Deepender and Anjali. His son, Deepender Singh Hooda, served as the MP for Rohtak from 2004 to 2019.