Press Release

Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi's commitment to nationalist, democratic and secular values have been validated by his participation in the democratic process when he contested as a BJP candidate, two Assembly elections (1991, 1993) and three Lok Sabha elections (1998, 1999 and 2009) apart from being elected thrice to the Upper House of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) in 2002 and 2010 from Uttar Pradesh and in 2016 from Jharkhand. He has the eminent distinction of becoming the first ever BJP Muslim Lok Sabha Member after winning the Parliamentary elections from Rampur (Uttar Pradesh) in 1998. His knowledge and leadership role have also been recognised as Chairman and Member of different important Parliamentary Committees such as Defence, Finance, Information Technology and Communications, External Affairs, Petroleum & Natural Gas, Civil Aviation, Public Undertaking, Pay and Pension of Members of Parliament etc. He has also led several Indian Parliamentary delegations abroad.

Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi served as Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs in 1998 in respected Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Government. During his tenure, he took major decisions and initiated reforms like Direct to Home broadcast system (DTH) and conferment of industry status to the Indian film industry. In the first term of Shri Narendra Modi led Government in 2014, he served as Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) and as Cabinet Minister for Minority Affairs.

His humble and friendly approach has helped Shri Naqvi play a crucial role in several key legislative works and the passage of various Reform Bills. He was able to facilitate their passage despite the Government being in a minority in the Upper House due to his excellent skills and coordination. It was in just recognition of his role and experience that on 31 st May, 2019, Shri Naqvi was given the charge of the crucial and sensitive Minority Affairs Ministry with the rank of a Cabinet Minister in the second term of the Modi Government. Shri Naqvi, who had played an effective role in Parliament as Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs in the Modi Government-I, has been appointed Deputy Leader of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) on 19 th July 2021. Shri Naqvi is known for his extensive and wide knowledge of Parliamentary affairs.