Dr Bhagwat Karad takes oath as union Minister of State; district get opportunity 1st time in 4 decades

Aurangabad, July 7:

MP Dr Bhagwat Kisanrao Karad took oath as union Minister of State at the swearing-in ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi on Wednesday. The first time, an MP from the district got union Cabinet birth during the last four decades.

It may be noted that PM Modi expanded the Cabinet today to include 36 faces. A total of four leaders from the State were inducted in to the union Cabinet and Dr Karad is one of them.

Dr Karad was elected Rajya Sabha member on March 18, 2020, and in just 15 months duration, he was inducted in to union Cabinet as Minister today.

He was the mayor of the city twice. Dr Karad, who was born in a farmer’s family on July 16, 1956, basically hails from Chikhli in Ahmedpur tehsil.

Dr Karad completed his education up to the 7th standard in Chikhli and he attended school from 8th to 10 standards at Anduri. He did his junior college at Ahmedpur.

After MBBS from Government Medical College of the city in 1977 and he completed MS.

He went to Mumbai for higher education and did MCH ( Paediatric Surgery).

He is the first paediatric surgeon of Marathwada and worked with Chikalthana Lions Club, Indian Medical Association city branch and Indian Academy of Pediatrics.

Meanwhile, he married to Dr Anjali Khedkar (Gynaecologist), the daughter of Dr Y S Khedkar who was also a surgeon.

While practising as a paediatric surgeon, he came in contact with late BJP leader Gopinath Munde. He entered politics and got elected as corporator (Independent) in Aurangabad Municipal Corporation in 1995. He joined BJP in 1996 in the presence of the late Gopinath Munde.

Dr Karad was Mayor of the city twice. The first time, from April 2000 to October 2001 and the second term was from November 2006 to October 2007. He was elected corporator three times and one time as deputy mayor (from 1997 to 1998).

He was appointed BJP city general secretary in 2007 and later remained the party’s city unit president from 2001 to 2004. He worked as State unit vice-president and secretary from 2014 to 2020. Dr Karad was appointed chairman of Marathwada Statutory Development Board in 2018 for two years.

Dr Karad, who belongs to Vanjari community, has played a big role in the growth of the BJP in Marathwada. He was elected BJP MP on Rajya Sabha on March 18, 2020.

In just 15 months duration, he was inducted in to the union Cabinet as minister.

During his two and half decades political journey, the 65-year-old Dr Karad, rose to the post of union Minister from a corporator.

The first time, an MP from the district got the post of minister in the union Cabinet during the last four decades. Chandrakant Khaire was MP for four terms but did not get an opportunity as a minister in union Government.

After BJP leader Pankaja Munde seemed away from the party, the party leaders recognised his loyalty to strengthen the party in Mararthwada and gave him an opportunity as union Minister. His selection will help to strengthen OBC support for the party.