Rajendra Singh Solanki | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 1985–1989 | |
| Preceded by | Yash Pal Singh |
| Succeeded by | Narendra Bhati |
| Constituency | Sikandrabad |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1955 Village Laduki, Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Political party | Bahujan Samaj Party (2024–present) |
| Spouse(s) | Swapna Solanki |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | Hira Singh (father) |
| Alma mater | NREC College, Khurja |
| Occupation | Politician |
Rajendra Singh Solanki (born 1955) is an Indian politician from Uttar Pradesh.[1] A veteran leader formerly with the Indian National Congress, he rose to prominence as a youth leader under the mentorship of Sanjay Gandhi and N. D. Tiwari. He served one term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Sikandrabad constituency and has held several high-ranking positions within the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee. In 2024, he joined the Bahujan Samaj Party to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Gautam Buddha Nagar.[2]
Early life and education[edit | edit source]
Solanki was born in 1950 in village Laduki, Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh, to Hira Singh, a farmer. He began his leadership journey in student politics, serving as the President of the Student Union at NREC College, Khurja. He holds a post-graduate degree.
Political career[edit | edit source]
Youth leadership[edit | edit source]
A founding member of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), Solanki was appointed President of the Uttar Pradesh Youth Congress in 1976. During this period, he was regarded as a protégé of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and worked closely with Sanjay Gandhi and N. D. Tiwari.[2]
Legislative and party roles[edit | edit source]
Solanki was elected as the MLA for the Sikandrabad constituency in 1985. Within the Congress organizational structure, minister of state under ND tiwari government.He served two terms as the Vice President of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) and held the positions of General Secretary of the UPCC and President of the Uttar Pradesh Yuvak Mangal Dal.
In 2007, Solanki briefly joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the behest of Kalyan Singh to contest the state assembly elections from Sikandrabad, before eventually returning to the Congress party.[2]
2024 General Elections[edit | edit source]
In March 2024, after nearly 50 years with the Indian National Congress, Solanki joined the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). He contested the 2024 Indian general election from the Gautam Buddha Nagar Lok Sabha constituency, securing 2,51,615 votes.
Political activism and imprisonment[edit | edit source]
During the late 1970s, Solanki was imprisoned multiple times in Lucknow, Dehradun, and Bareilly jails for his political activism, specifically for protesting the arrest of Indira Gandhi and participating in movements alongside Sanjay Gandhi.
Influence[edit | edit source]
Solanki has been regarded as an influential leader in the Bulandshahr and Gautam Buddha Nagar regions, particularly among rural and agrarian communities.
Electoral history[edit | edit source]
| Year | Election | Constituency | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Opponent party | Opponent votes | % | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Assembly | Sikandrabad | INC | 35,195 | 49.95 | Shah Mal | Lok Dal | 17,255 | 24.49 | Won | 17,940[3] |
| 1991 | Assembly | Sikandrabad | INC | 28,383 | 28.22 | Narendra Bhati | Janata Dal | 43,835 | 43.59 | Lost | −15,452[4] |
| 2007 | Assembly | Sikandrabad | BJP | 30,630 | 21.71 | Ved Ram Bhati | BSP | 48,897 | 34.37 | Lost | −18,267 [5] |
| 2024 | Lok Sabha | Gautam Buddh Nagar | BSP | 251,615 | 17.51 | Dr. Mahesh Sharma | BJP | 857,829 | 59.69 | Lost[6] | −606,214 [6] |
Personal life[edit | edit source]
He is married to Swapna Solanki; the couple has three children. He resides in Defence Colony, New Delhi.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Rajendra Singh Solanki - Gautam Buddha Nagar Candidate Profile". The Times of India. Times Internet. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 ""My Last Chance": A Month After Joining Party, RS Solanki is BSP's Candidate". The Times of India. 25 March 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ↑ "उत्तर प्रदेश विधानसभा निर्वाचन का सांख्यिकीय डेटा, 1985". भारत निर्वाचन आयोग (in हिन्दी). Election Commission of India. Retrieved 2026-04-23.
- ↑ "Uttar Pradesh Election Results 1991". Election Commission of India. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
- ↑ "Sikandrabad Assembly Election Result 2017". Punjab Kesari. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Gautam Buddh Nagar Election Result 2024". India Today. Retrieved 14 April 2026.