Parts of this article (those related to the Political Career section) need to be updated. (June 2017) |
Surjit Singh Rakhra is an Indian politician who belongs to the Shiromani Akali Dal. He was Minister for Water Supply and Sanitation, Higher Education and Languages (2012–2017) in the Punjab Government.[1][2] In 2019 Parliament Elections, he lost the election[3] to Preneet Kaur of the Indian National Congress.
Surjit Singh Rakhra | |
|---|---|
| MLA, Punjab | |
| In office 2002–1997 | |
| Preceded by | Jagtar Singh Rajla |
| Succeeded by | Brahm Mahindra |
| Constituency | Samana |
| In office 2012–2017 | |
| Preceded by | Brahm Mahindra |
| Constituency | Samana |
| Water Supply & Sanitation, Higher Education & Languages | |
| In office 2012–2017 | |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Shiromani Akali Dal |
| Residence(s) | Rakhra, Patiala, Punjab, India |
| Website | https://www.surjitsinghrakhra.co.in |
Family edit
His father is Kartar Singh Dhaliwal and his mother is Jaswant Kaur. His brothers Darshan Singh Dhaliwal and Charanjit Singh Dhaliwal are businessmen in the United States.[4][5][6]
Political career edit
He was elected to the Punjab Legislative Assembly in 2002 on an Akali Dal ticket from Samana.[7][8] He was re-elected from Samana in 2012.[9] He has served as Minister for water supply and sanitation, higher education and languages in the Punjab government led by Parkash Singh Badal. However, he lost the Parliamentary elections from Patiala in 2019.
Controversy edit
Rakhra generated considerable controversy when he declared that the alleged killing of a young girl by a bus driver operated by the Badal family that controls the Punjab government was an accident and "God's will".[10]
References edit
- ^ Punjab Cabinet Ministers Portfolios 2012 Archived 3 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Punjab government dissolves panchayat bodies
- ^ "Patiala Election Result 2019: Congress' Parneet Kaur wins with 162718 margin". Times Now News. 9 May 2020.
- ^ Punjab CM condoles demise of Rakhra's wife[permanent dead link]
- ^ Well-oiled machine
- ^ Shooting casts shadow on "power wedding"
- ^ "Punjab Assembly Election 2002 Results". Archived from the original on 5 August 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
- ^ Punjab Assembly Elections-2002 winners
- ^ Results Punjab State Assembly Elections 2012 Archived 6 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Incident was God's will: Surjit Singh Rakhra's ridiculous defence of Badals on Moga teen's death". 2 May 2015.