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{{Short description|Indian politician}}
{{Short description|Indian politician (born 1957)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox AM
{{Infobox officeholder
|honorific-prefix =  
|honorific-prefix =  
|name       = Arjun Modhwadia
|name             = Arjun Modhwadia
|honorific-suffix =  
|honorific-suffix =  
|image       = Shri Arjun Modhwadia.jpg
|image           = Arjun Modhwadia (cropped).jpg
|alt         =  
|alt             =  
|caption     = Arjun Modhwadia
|caption         =
|office1    = [[Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee|President, Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee]]
| term_start      = 17 October 2025
|term_start1 = March 2011
| 2blankname      = Minister for Forest and Environment
|term_end1  = March 2015
| 2namedata      = 17 October 2025 - Incumbent
|predecessor1 = [[Siddharth Patel]]
| 3blankname      = Minister for Science and Technology
|successor1  = [[Bharatsinh Solanki]]
| 3namedata      = 17 October 2025 - Incumbent
|office2      = [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of the Legislative Assembly]], [[Gujarat Legislative Assembly|Gujarat]]  
| 4blankname      = Minister for Climate Change
|constituency2 = [[Porbandar (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Porbandar]]  
| 4namedata      = 17 October 2025 - Incumbent
|term_start2 = December, 2002
| 5blankname      = Chief Minister
|term_end2   = December, 2012
| 5namedata      = [[Bhupendrabhai Patel]]
|predecessor2 =
| term_end        =
|successor2 = [[Babu Bokhiria]]
| office          = [[Cabinet Minister]]<br/>[[Government of Gujarat]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1957|2|17}}
|office1          = [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of the Legislative Assembly]], [[Gujarat Legislative Assembly|Gujarat]]
| birth_place = [[Porbandar|Modhwada]], [[India]]
|term_start1      = 8 December 2022
|citizenship        = Indian
|term_end1        =
|nationality        = Indian
|predecessor1    = [[Babubhai Bokhiria]]
|party = [[Indian National Congress]]
|constituency1    = [[Porbandar (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Porbandar]]
|spouse             = Hiraben
|constituency2   = [[Porbandar (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Porbandar]]
|children           = 2
|term_start2     = December 2002
|residence         = [[Porbandar]]
|term_end2       = December 2012
|alma_mater         = [[Lukhdhirji Engineering College]], [[Morbi]]; [[Saurashtra University]]
|predecessor2     = [[Babubhai Bokhiria]]
|occupation         = former [[List of leaders of the opposition in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly|Leader of the Opposition]] (2004-2007)
|successor2       = [[Babubhai Bokhiria]]
|profession         = Politician
|office3          = [[Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee|President, Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee]]
|cabinet           =  
|term_start3      = March 2011
|committees         = president of [[Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee]] (GPCC)
|term_end3        = March 2015
|portfolio         =  
|predecessor3    = [[Siddharth Patel]]
|signature         =  
|successor3      = [[Bharatsinh Solanki]]
|signature_alt     =  
|birth_date       = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1957|2|17}}
|website = {{url|www.arjunmodhwadia.com}}
|birth_place     = [[Porbandar district|Modhwada]], [[Bombay State]], [[India]]
|footnotes         =  
|party            = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]<ref name="Hindustan Times">{{cite news |title=Gujarat leaders join BJP a day after quitting Congress |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gujarat-leaders-join-bjp-a-day-after-quitting-congress-101709626137494.html |access-date=5 March 2024 |publisher=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
|otherparty      = [[Indian National Congress]] (1997-2024)
|spouse           = Hiraben
|children         = 2
|residence       = [[Porbandar]]
|alma_mater       = [[Lukhdhirji Engineering College]], [[Morbi]]; [[Saurashtra University]]
|occupation       = Former [[List of leaders of the opposition in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly|Leader of the Opposition]] (2004-2007)
|profession       = Politician
|cabinet         =  
|committees       = President of [[Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee]] (GPCC)
|portfolio       =  
|signature       =  
|signature_alt   =  
|website         = {{URL|www.arjunmodhwadia.in}}
|footnotes       =  
}}
}}


'''Arjun Modhwadia''' is an [[Indian National Congress]] politician from porbandar [[Gujarat]], [[India]].<ref name=amo>{{cite web|title=Arjun Madhwadia-Journey |url=http://www.arjunmodhwadia.com/journey/ |work=www.arjunmodhwadia.com |publisher=Official website |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121230230655/http://www.arjunmodhwadia.com/journey/ |archive-date=30 December 2012 }}</ref> He was the [[List of leaders of the opposition in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly|Leader of the Opposition]] in the [[Gujarat Legislative Assembly]] from 2004 to 2007. He had been a president of [[Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee]] (GPCC),<ref name=inex>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/arjun-modhwadia-appointed-new-state-cong-president/757137/0|title=Arjun Modhwadia appointed new state Cong president|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=3 March 2011|access-date=17 January 2012}}</ref> the [[Gujarat]] wing of [[Indian National Congress]] from 2 March 2011 to 20 December 2012.<ref name=dna>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_gujarat-congress-chief-did-arjun-modhwadia-pip-shankersinh-vaghela_1514936|title=Gujarat Congress chief: Did Arjun Modhwadia pip Shankersinh Vaghela?|work=[[Daily News and Analysis]]|date=3 March 2011|access-date=17 January 2012}}</ref>
'''Arjun Modhwadia''' is a former [[Indian National Congress]] politician from Porbandar [[Gujarat]], India.&lt;ref name=amo&gt;{{cite web|title=Arjun Madhwadia-Journey |url=http://www.arjunmodhwadia.com/journey/ |work=www.arjunmodhwadia.com |publisher=Official website |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121230230655/http://www.arjunmodhwadia.com/journey/ |archive-date=30 December 2012 }}&lt;/ref&gt; He was the [[List of leaders of the opposition in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly|Leader of the Opposition]] in the [[Gujarat Legislative Assembly]] from 2004 to 2007. He had been a president of [[Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee]] (GPCC),&lt;ref name=inex&gt;{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/arjun-modhwadia-appointed-new-state-cong-president/757137/0|title=Arjun Modhwadia appointed new state Cong president|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=3 March 2011|access-date=17 January 2012}}&lt;/ref&gt; the [[Gujarat]] wing of [[Indian National Congress]] from 2 March 2011 to 20 December 2012.&lt;ref name=dna&gt;{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_gujarat-congress-chief-did-arjun-modhwadia-pip-shankersinh-vaghela_1514936|title=Gujarat Congress chief: Did Arjun Modhwadia pip Shankersinh Vaghela?|work=[[Daily News and Analysis]]|date=3 March 2011|access-date=17 January 2012}}&lt;/ref&gt;&lt;ref name="Who are the 19 new ministers in Gujarat cabinet? Know here2"&gt;{{cite news |date=21 October 2025 |title=Who are the 19 new ministers in Gujarat cabinet? Know here |url=https://english.gujaratsamachar.com/news/gujarat/who-are-the-19-new-ministers-in-gujarat-cabinet-know-here |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20251021020536/https://english.gujaratsamachar.com/news/gujarat/who-are-the-19-new-ministers-in-gujarat-cabinet-know-here |archivedate=21 October 2025 |accessdate=21 October 2025 |work=english..com |publisher=Gujarat Samachar |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;&lt;ref name="Gujarat Cabinet reshuffle: 3 women ministers, but none given Cabinet rank"&gt;{{cite news |date=17 October 2025 |title=Gujarat Cabinet reshuffle: 3 women ministers, but none given Cabinet rank |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-cabinet-reshuffle-3-women-ministers-but-none-given-cabinet-rank-10313006/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251021021332/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-cabinet-reshuffle-3-women-ministers-but-none-given-cabinet-rank-10313006/ |archive-date=21 October 2025 |access-date=21 October 2025 |publisher=The Indian Express |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
 
In March 2024, he quit the Congress Party and joined the BJP.&lt;ref name="Hindustan Times"&gt;{{cite news |title=Gujarat leaders join BJP a day after quitting Congress |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gujarat-leaders-join-bjp-a-day-after-quitting-congress-101709626137494.html |access-date=5 March 2024 |publisher=Hindustan Times}}&lt;/ref&gt;


==Early life and career==
==Early life and career==
Arjun Modhwadia was born at Modhwada, a village near [[Porbandar]], on 17 February 1957. His schooling was at government primary school of the village. He graduated with a mechanical engineering degree from [[Lukhdhirji Engineering College]] in [[Morbi]]. He became Senate member of [[Saurashtra University]] as a Registered Graduate constituency representative in 1982 to 2002. In 1988 he also became a member of the Executive Council of the University. He worked as an assistant engineer with the [[Gujarat Maritime Board]] for 10 years. He left his job in 1993 and joined politics.<ref name=amo/> He is married to Hiraben and has a son and a daughter.<ref name=amo/>
Arjun Modhwadia was born in a Gujarati family at Modhwada, a village near Porbandar, on February 17, 1957. He graduated from Lukhdhirji Engineering College in Morbi with a mechanical engineering degree in 1982. He became a Senate and Syndicate member of Saurashtra University as a Registered Graduate constituency representative from 1982 to 2002. In 1988, he also joined the university's executive council. Throughout his tenure, he actively contributed to improving educational quality at the university. He was an assistant engineer with the Gujarat Maritime Board for approximately nine years. He left his job in 1993 and entered politics. While actively serving in politics and social service, he obtained an LLB from Gujarat University in 2012 to enhance his knowledge.
 
==Personal life==
Born on February 17, 1957, in Modhvada village, Porbandar, Shri Arjunbhai grew up in a humble farming family with two brothers and two sisters. Shri Arjunbhai Modhwadia is the founder and managing trustee of the Maldevji Odedara Memorial Trust, which promotes education. He also serves as a Trustee and Joint Secretary at Shardapeeth Vidyasabha, Dwarka, under the guidance of Shankaracharya Maharaj.


He is associated with Maldevji Odedra Smarak Trust, Dr. Viram Godhania Mahila Arts, Commerce, Home Science and Computer Science College since 1988. He is a president of Gramya Bharati High School, Bayavadar since 2002 and a trustee of Sorath Kshay Nivaran Samiti, [[Keshod]]; an organization working for [[Tuberculosis]] patients, since 2004.<ref name=amo/>


==Political career==
==Political career==
He joined [[Indian National Congress]] in 1997.<ref name=amo/> In 2002, he contested [[2002 Gujarat legislative assembly election|assembly election]] and won.<ref name=dna /> In 2002, he became a member of [[Delimitation Commission of India]] for Gujarat (Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies). He was also appointed as a member of the Estimate Committee. He was the [[List of leaders of the opposition in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly|Leader of the Opposition]] of [[Gujarat Legislative Assembly]] from 2004 to 2007.<ref name=amo/>
He joined [[Indian National Congress]] in 1997.&lt;ref name=amo/&gt; In 2002, he contested [[2002 Gujarat legislative assembly election|assembly election]] and won.&lt;ref name=dna /&gt; In 2002, he became a member of [[Delimitation Commission of India]] for Gujarat (Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies). He was also appointed a member of the Estimate Committee. He was the [[List of leaders of the opposition in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly|Leader of the Opposition]] of [[Gujarat Legislative Assembly]] from 2004 to 2007.&lt;ref name=amo/&gt;
 
He was [[2007 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election|re-elected]] in 2007 and from 2008 to 2009 he was also the chairman of the media committee and Chief Spokesperson of [[Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee|GPCC]]. On 2 March 2011, he was selected as the 27th president of [[Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee]].&lt;ref name=inex /&gt;&lt;ref name=dna /&gt;
 
He also resigned from the post of president of [[Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee|GPCC]] on 20 December 2012 following defeat.&lt;ref name="zn"&gt;{{cite news |date=20 December 2012 |title=Arjun Modhwadia resigns as Gujarat Congress president |url=http://zeenews.india.com/state-election-2012/gujarat/arjun-modhwadia-resigns-as-gujarat-congress-president_817879.html |access-date=28 December 2012 |newspaper=[[Zee news]]}}&lt;/ref&gt; He again lost in [[2017 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election|assembly election in 2017]] against [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) candidate [[Babubhai Bokhiria|Babu Bokhiria]].&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/gujarat-assembly-election-2017-heavyweights-mlas-ministers-bite-the-dust-1789711|title=Gujarat Assembly Election 2017: Heavyweights, MLAs, Ministers Bite The Dust|work=NDTV|access-date=2017-12-23|language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite news|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/elections/gujarat-assembly-elections-2017/gujarat-election-result-2017-live-updates-leads-bjp-congress-seats-won-lost-list-winners-narendra-modi-rahul-gandhi-hardik-patel-vijay-rupani-amit-shah/978092/|title=Highlights {{!}} Gujarat election result 2017: Final tally out, BJP bags 99 seats, Congress gets 77|date=2017-12-18|work=The Financial Express|access-date=2017-12-23|language=en-US}}&lt;/ref&gt;&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite news |date=2017-12-18 |title=Gujarat Elections results: BJP wins majority |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/live-gujarat-assembly-election-results/article9995731.ece |access-date=2017-12-23 |work=The Hindu Business Line |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt; He was elected from Porbandar constituency again in [[2022 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election]] as an INC candidate defeating his nearest rival and BJP candidate Babu Bokhiria.&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite web |title=ગુજરાત વિધાનસભા ચૂંટણી પરિણામઃ કોંગ્રેસના સૂપડા સાફ, માંડ 17 સીટ જીતી, આપ પાર્ટીનો 5 બેઠક પર વિજય |url=https://gujarati.indianexpress.com/gujarat/gujarat-election-result-2022-congress-winner-only-17-seats-aap-party-gets-5-seat/28453/ |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=Indian Express Gujarati |language=gu-IN}}&lt;/ref&gt;
 
===Bharatiya Janata Party===
 
In March 2024, Modhwadia quit the Indian National Congress ending his 27 years of association with the party, and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of BJP Gujarat State unit President C. R. Patil. He resigned from his MLA position to align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of developed India. In the subsequent by-election, he won with a historic margin of 1,16,808 votes, receiving 86% of votes cast. In October 2025, he was appointed Cabinet Minister for Forest and Environment, Science and Technology, and Climate Change under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's leadership.
 
==Electoral history==
'''2002:''' Shri Arjunbhai Modhwadia won his first election as Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Porbandar constituency in 2002, marking his entry into the Gujarat Legislative Assembly.
 
'''2007:''' He successfully retained the Porbandar seat in 2007, securing his second consecutive term as MLA and continuing his constituency representation.
 
'''2022:''' Shri Arjunbhai Modhwadia won from Porbandar with a margin of over 9,000 votes, earning the people's trust for the third time in the 2022 Assembly elections.


He was [[2007 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election|re-elected]] in 2007 and from 2008-2009 he was also the chairman of the media committee and Chief Spokesperson of [[Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee|GPCC]]. On 2 March 2011, he was selected as a 27th president of [[Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee|GPCC]].<ref name=inex /><ref name=dna />
'''2024:''' After joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2024, he contested the by-election and achieved a historic victory with a record-breaking margin of 1,16,808 votes. He received 1,33,163 total votes, representing 86% of the total votes cast - the highest vote % ever received by a single candidate in Gujarat's electoral history.


He also resigned from the post of president of [[Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee|GPCC]] on 20 December 2012 following defeat.<ref name=zn>{{cite news|last=Bureau|first=Zeenews|title=Arjun Modhwadia resigns as Gujarat Congress president|url=http://zeenews.india.com/state-election-2012/gujarat/arjun-modhwadia-resigns-as-gujarat-congress-president_817879.html|access-date=28 December 2012|newspaper=[[Zee news]]|date=20 December 2012}}</ref> He again lost in [[2017 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election|assembly election in 2017]]  against BJP's candidate Babu Bokhiria.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/gujarat-assembly-election-2017-heavyweights-mlas-ministers-bite-the-dust-1789711|title=Gujarat Assembly Election 2017: Heavyweights, MLAs, Ministers Bite The Dust|work=NDTV|access-date=2017-12-23|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/elections/gujarat-assembly-elections-2017/gujarat-election-result-2017-live-updates-leads-bjp-congress-seats-won-lost-list-winners-narendra-modi-rahul-gandhi-hardik-patel-vijay-rupani-amit-shah/978092/|title=Highlights {{!}} Gujarat election result 2017: Final tally out, BJP bags 99 seats, Congress gets 77|date=2017-12-18|work=The Financial Express|access-date=2017-12-23|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/live-gujarat-assembly-election-results/article9995731.ece|title=Gujarat Elections results: BJP wins majority|last=Desk|first=BL Internet|date=2017-12-18|work=The Hindu Business Line|access-date=2017-12-23|language=en}}</ref>
'''October 2025:''' In October 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appointed him as a Cabinet Minister for Forest and Environment, Science and Technology, and Climate Change in the Gujarat Government. He works under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's leadership to advance the vision of developed Gujarat and developed India.


==Controversy==
In November 2012, he was served with a show cause notice from [[Election Commission of India|Election Commission]] for calling [[Narendra Modi]], a ''Monkey''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/specials/gujarat-assembly-elections/Arjun-Modhwadia-gets-EC-notice-for-Modi-is-monkey-Neha-was-offended-jibe/articleshow/17330969.cms?|title=Arjun Modhwadia gets EC notice for 'Modi is monkey' jibe |access-date=2012-11-23 | work=The Times Of India}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20111219171140/http://arjunmodhwadia.com:80/english/}}
* {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20111219171140/http://arjunmodhwadia.com:80/english/}}
{{Bharatiya Janata Party}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Modhwadia, Arjun}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Modhwadia, Arjun}}
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Gujarat]]
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Opposition in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Leaders of the opposition in Gujarat]]
[[Category:People from Porbandar district]]
[[Category:People from Porbandar district]]
[[Category:Gujarat MLAs 2002–2007]]
[[Category:Gujarat MLAs 2002–2007]]
[[Category:Gujarat MLAs 2007–2012]]
[[Category:Gujarat MLAs 2007–2012]]
[[Category:Gujarat MLAs 2022–2027]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Gujarat]]
[[Category:Presidents of Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee]]

Revision as of 00:30, 20 December 2025


Arjun Modhwadia
Cabinet Minister<br/>Government of Gujarat
Assumed office
17 October 2025
Minister for Forest and Environment17 October 2025 - Incumbent
Minister for Science and Technology17 October 2025 - Incumbent
Minister for Climate Change17 October 2025 - Incumbent
Chief MinisterBhupendrabhai Patel
Member of the Legislative Assembly, Gujarat
Assumed office
8 December 2022
Preceded byBabubhai Bokhiria
ConstituencyPorbandar
In office
December 2002 – December 2012
Preceded byBabubhai Bokhiria
Succeeded byBabubhai Bokhiria
ConstituencyPorbandar
President, Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee
In office
March 2011 – March 2015
Preceded bySiddharth Patel
Succeeded byBharatsinh Solanki
Personal details
Born (1957-02-17) 17 February 1957 (age 69)
Modhwada, Bombay State, India
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party<ref name="Hindustan Times">"Gujarat leaders join BJP a day after quitting Congress". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 5 March 2024.</ref>
Other political
affiliations		Indian National Congress (1997-2024)
Spouse(s)Hiraben
Children2
ResidencePorbandar
Alma materLukhdhirji Engineering College, Morbi; Saurashtra University
OccupationFormer Leader of the Opposition (2004-2007)
ProfessionPolitician
CommitteesPresident of Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC)
Websitewww.arjunmodhwadia.in

Arjun Modhwadia is a former Indian National Congress politician from Porbandar Gujarat, India.<ref name=amo>"Arjun Madhwadia-Journey". www.arjunmodhwadia.com. Official website. Archived from the original on 30 December 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2012.</ref> He was the Leader of the Opposition in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly from 2004 to 2007. He had been a president of Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC),<ref name=inex>"Arjun Modhwadia appointed new state Cong president". The Indian Express. 3 March 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2012.</ref> the Gujarat wing of Indian National Congress from 2 March 2011 to 20 December 2012.<ref name=dna>"Gujarat Congress chief: Did Arjun Modhwadia pip Shankersinh Vaghela?". Daily News and Analysis. 3 March 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2012.</ref><ref name="Who are the 19 new ministers in Gujarat cabinet? Know here2">"Who are the 19 new ministers in Gujarat cabinet? Know here". english..com. Gujarat Samachar. 21 October 2025. Archived from the original on 21 October 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.</ref><ref name="Gujarat Cabinet reshuffle: 3 women ministers, but none given Cabinet rank">"Gujarat Cabinet reshuffle: 3 women ministers, but none given Cabinet rank". The Indian Express. 17 October 2025. Archived from the original on 21 October 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.</ref>

In March 2024, he quit the Congress Party and joined the BJP.<ref name="Hindustan Times">"Gujarat leaders join BJP a day after quitting Congress". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 5 March 2024.</ref>

Early life and career

Arjun Modhwadia was born in a Gujarati family at Modhwada, a village near Porbandar, on February 17, 1957. He graduated from Lukhdhirji Engineering College in Morbi with a mechanical engineering degree in 1982. He became a Senate and Syndicate member of Saurashtra University as a Registered Graduate constituency representative from 1982 to 2002. In 1988, he also joined the university's executive council. Throughout his tenure, he actively contributed to improving educational quality at the university. He was an assistant engineer with the Gujarat Maritime Board for approximately nine years. He left his job in 1993 and entered politics. While actively serving in politics and social service, he obtained an LLB from Gujarat University in 2012 to enhance his knowledge.

Personal life

Born on February 17, 1957, in Modhvada village, Porbandar, Shri Arjunbhai grew up in a humble farming family with two brothers and two sisters. Shri Arjunbhai Modhwadia is the founder and managing trustee of the Maldevji Odedara Memorial Trust, which promotes education. He also serves as a Trustee and Joint Secretary at Shardapeeth Vidyasabha, Dwarka, under the guidance of Shankaracharya Maharaj.


Political career

He joined Indian National Congress in 1997.<ref name=amo/> In 2002, he contested assembly election and won.<ref name=dna /> In 2002, he became a member of Delimitation Commission of India for Gujarat (Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies). He was also appointed a member of the Estimate Committee. He was the Leader of the Opposition of Gujarat Legislative Assembly from 2004 to 2007.<ref name=amo/>

He was re-elected in 2007 and from 2008 to 2009 he was also the chairman of the media committee and Chief Spokesperson of GPCC. On 2 March 2011, he was selected as the 27th president of Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee.<ref name=inex /><ref name=dna />

He also resigned from the post of president of GPCC on 20 December 2012 following defeat.<ref name="zn">"Arjun Modhwadia resigns as Gujarat Congress president". Zee news. 20 December 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2012.</ref> He again lost in assembly election in 2017 against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Babu Bokhiria.<ref>"Gujarat Assembly Election 2017: Heavyweights, MLAs, Ministers Bite The Dust". NDTV. Retrieved 23 December 2017.</ref><ref>"Highlights | Gujarat election result 2017: Final tally out, BJP bags 99 seats, Congress gets 77". The Financial Express. 18 December 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2017.</ref><ref>"Gujarat Elections results: BJP wins majority". The Hindu Business Line. 18 December 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2017.</ref> He was elected from Porbandar constituency again in 2022 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election as an INC candidate defeating his nearest rival and BJP candidate Babu Bokhiria.<ref>"ગુજરાત વિધાનસભા ચૂંટણી પરિણામઃ કોંગ્રેસના સૂપડા સાફ, માંડ 17 સીટ જીતી, આપ પાર્ટીનો 5 બેઠક પર વિજય". Indian Express Gujarati (in ગુજરાતી). Retrieved 8 December 2022.</ref>

Bharatiya Janata Party

In March 2024, Modhwadia quit the Indian National Congress ending his 27 years of association with the party, and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of BJP Gujarat State unit President C. R. Patil. He resigned from his MLA position to align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of developed India. In the subsequent by-election, he won with a historic margin of 1,16,808 votes, receiving 86% of votes cast. In October 2025, he was appointed Cabinet Minister for Forest and Environment, Science and Technology, and Climate Change under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's leadership.

Electoral history

2002: Shri Arjunbhai Modhwadia won his first election as Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Porbandar constituency in 2002, marking his entry into the Gujarat Legislative Assembly.

2007: He successfully retained the Porbandar seat in 2007, securing his second consecutive term as MLA and continuing his constituency representation.

2022: Shri Arjunbhai Modhwadia won from Porbandar with a margin of over 9,000 votes, earning the people's trust for the third time in the 2022 Assembly elections.

2024: After joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2024, he contested the by-election and achieved a historic victory with a record-breaking margin of 1,16,808 votes. He received 1,33,163 total votes, representing 86% of the total votes cast - the highest vote % ever received by a single candidate in Gujarat's electoral history.

October 2025: In October 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appointed him as a Cabinet Minister for Forest and Environment, Science and Technology, and Climate Change in the Gujarat Government. He works under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's leadership to advance the vision of developed Gujarat and developed India.


References

External links

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