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Indian Military has given leaders for almost every field in the world. Whether its about Sports, Education or even the Politics. Today, there are many politicians who served in the military and many of them fought the Lok Sabha Election 2019. They all have an interesting story behind their migration from military to politics. Here are the list of Indian Military Officers who joined Indian Politics to serve the country again.
Captain Mohd. Ayub Khan:
The least know soldier turned Politian, honoured with veer chakra, Captain Mohd. Ayub Khan joined politics after retirement and won Lok Sabha elections twice and was also appointed as a minister in the government of Rajiv Gandhi.
Kisan Baburao Hazare a.k.a. Anna Hazare:
The renowned social activist who waged a war against corruption is an army veteran who joined the army in 1960. He was honorably retired in 1975 after 12 years of service. He is famous for some of his extraordinary moves like grain bank, an initiative in watershed management program, education and development in rural areas.
Major General Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri:
Major General (retd) Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri AVSM has served as the chief minister of Uttarakhand from 2007-09 and a senior BJP member. During the preimminsteralship of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he was appointed as cabinet minister of surface transport.
Jacob Farj Rafael Jacob:
Lieutenant General JFR Jacob is known for his contribution in Bangladesh liberation war 1971. He was also a part of world war II and India Pakistan war 1965. After serving in the Indian army for 36 years, he has been appointed as the governor of Goa and Punjab.
Lt. Kinhiraman Palat Candeth:
Lt. General Kinhiraman Palat Candeth having a great contribution in the annexation of Goa in 1961 and Pakistan’s infiltration after 1947, also got involved in governance after he was appointed as lt. Governor of Goa.
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General VK Singh:
24th chief of Army Staff (2010-12) is a well-decorated soldier and a Politician. The retired four-star officer joined the anti-corruption movement with Ramdev in 2014 and in the same year he joined BJP and won from Ghaziabad seat. He has been a minister of the state of external affairs, development of north-eastern region and statistics and program implementation.
Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore:
Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, former Olympian is also a successful Olympian. He has joined BJP in 2014 and currently. He won Lok Sabha Election 2019 from Jaipur rural seat. He was appointed a Minister of State Information and Broadcast in 2014 and in 2017, and was also appointed as Minister of State of Youth Affairs and Sports. Before Lok Sabha Election 2019, he was on Twitter as “Chowkidar Rajyavardhan Rathore“. You can check the complete list of Cabinet Ministers of India 2019.
Major Surendra Poonia Para SF:
An AFMC alumni, Major Surendra Poonia is a multitalented soldier with graduation in medicine, the experience of Para special forces and an efficient athlete and weight lifter. He had contested parliament elections in 2014 from Sikar. In 2015, he resigned from Aam Admi party due to some internal opinion conflicts with the party members.
Captain Amarinder Singh:
Captain Amarinder Singh of Sikh regiment is a well known political personality of Punjab who has emerged as a strong leader. He joined the army in 1963 and resigned in 1965 but again joined the military due to disturbances between India and Pakistan followed by India Pakistan war. His political career started with Congress but after operation blue star, he resigned from Congress and joined Shiromani Akali Dal. He was also elected as Member of Parliament from 2014-16 and minister of Punjab form 2007-09 and 2017 – till date.
Major Jaswant Singh:
Major (Retd) Jaswant Singh is another eminent political personality who produced a good level of governance in India. Being a founding member of BJP, he has been a member of Rajya Sabha for 5 times and Lok Sabha 4 times. He is known for his cabinet portfolios like finance, external affairs and Defense Minister during Vajpaee administration. He is also known for some of the best literary works like India at risk, national security and many more.
Captain Jagatvir Singh Drona:
Captain (retd) Jagatvir Singh Drona has also served as the mayor of Kanpur for 5 years. He was also a member of 10th 11th and 12th Lok Sabha.
Rajesh Pilot:
Most of you have already surfed the internet to get Biography of Rajesh Pilot. After resigning from the post of squadron leader, Rajesh pilot joined politics under the influence of Rajiv Gandhi. He has also served as minter of telecommunication, internal security, and surface transport during his political career. He has also won Lok Sabha Election for 4 times and has founded Jai Jawan Jai Kisan trust.
Lieutenant General Sarath Chand:
Former vice chief of army staff Sarath Chand has recently joined BJP a time well before elections. After being commissioned in Garhwal rifles in 1979, he was retired in 2018. The leadership and commanding quality will be better used in politics.
The above-mentioned soldiers who turned politicians have performed well in both the fields, i.e. in the military as well as in governance. The discipline, influencing character and firm personality of these soldiers made a great change in politics and some of them are still working efficiently. Indian forces have always taught and brought discipline, fair judgment and dedication toward services which are made useful in every field whether on duty or after retirement.
The army has always been the support in times of need, and in politics also, the soldiers are giving their best in every possible way. the service they have rendered in defence will bring glorious results in national politics too.
