Political Career
He joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He took part in the struggle against the Emergency and was imprisoned. In 2000, he was appointed minister of Energy, Irrigation, Law, and Legislative Affairs of the newly created state of Uttaranchal. In 2001 he replaced Nityanand Swami as the chief minister. He has also served as the President of the BJP of his state. As a result of his party's defeat in the 2002 Assembly elections, he resigned as the chief minister and became the leader of the opposition of the Uttaranchal Legislative Assembly.
Despite the BJP's victory in the 2007 Assembly elections in Uttarakhand, Koshyari was deprived of the Chief Minister's post by his chief rival, Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri. Media reports have cited that the BJP's central leadership was baised for Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri, despite his support from the RSS and a majority of the elected MLAs. He is now a member of the Rajya Sabha from Uttarakhand. He has been appointed a national vice president of BJP.
Koshyari was also a general secretary of the students' union of Almora College, Almora, between 1961-62. He has also represented the Executive Council of Kumaon University, during 1979-82, 1982–85 and 1988-91.
During the emergency, he was detained in Almora and Fatehgarh Central Jail under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), from 3 July 1975 to 23 March 1977.
Positions held by Koshyari include:
- May 1997 : Member, Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council
- 1997-98 : Member, Committee on Delegated Legislation, Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council.
- 1998-99 : Member, Committee on Government Assurances, Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council.
- 1999-2000 : Member, Committee on Petitions, Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council & Advisory Committee, Development and Planning.
- Nov. 2000-28 Oct. 2001: Minister of Energy, Irrigation, Parliamentary and Legislative Affairs, Government of Uttaranchal.
- 29 Oct. 2001-March 2002: Chief Minister, Uttarakhand
- March 2002 - Nov.2007 : Member, Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly & Leader of the Opposition in Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly .
- Nov. 2008 onwards: Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha.
He has been associated following parliamentary committees-
- Feb. 2009- May 2009: Member, Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture.
- Aug. 2009 onwards: Member, Committee on Energy & Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
- Oct. 2009 onwards: Member, General Purposes Committee.
- Sept. 2009 onwards: Chairman, Committee on Petitions.
Read more about this topic: Bhagat Singh Koshiyari
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