Shri Bandaru Dattatraya
Shri Bandaru Dattatraya, a senior Indian political leader, statesman, and social worker, has had a long and distinguished career in public life marked by dedication to social service, party organization, and governance. Born on 12 June 1947 in Hyderabad, Telangana, Shri Dattatraya has risen through the ranks of both the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), embodying the spirit of service and discipline throughout his journey.
Shri Dattatraya began his public life in 1968 as a Pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He became the Vibhag Pracharak in 1974, and during the Emergency, he played a significant role as the Joint Convenor of the Loka Sangharsh Samithi in 1975. His commitment led to his arrest under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) during 1976–77. Post-Emergency, he took on several critical roles, including serving as Joint Secretary of the Cyclone Relief Committee (1978) for rehabilitation and housing in Diviseema, Andhra Pradesh, and as Pramukh of Seva Bharathi (1979).
Shri Dattatraya joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980, becoming the Secretary of BJP Andhra Pradesh. Over the years, he steadily rose through the organizational ranks: General Secretary, BJP Andhra Pradesh (1981–1989); President, BJP Andhra Pradesh (1996–1998 and 2006–2009); National Secretary, BJP (2004–2006); National Vice President, BJP (2013–2014); Member, BJP’s National Executive (2009–2013) and National Manifesto Committee.
Shri Dattatraya was elected to the Lok Sabha four times: 10th Lok Sabha (1991); 12th Lok Sabha (1998); 13th Lok Sabha (1999), and 16th Lok Sabha (2014). During his parliamentary career, he served on various important committees, including Public Accounts Committee, Committee on Welfare of SCs, STs, and Minorities, Standing Committee on Railways, Committee on Violation of Protocol Norms and Contemptuous Behaviour of Government Officers with Members of Lok Sabha, Chairperson, Parliamentary Committee on Welfare of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and Chairperson, Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of Members of Parliament (2018).
Shri Dattatraya held several significant ministerial portfolios at the Union level: Minister of State, Urban Development (1998–99, 1999–2000); Minister of State, Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation (2000–2002); Minister of State, Railways (2002–2003); Minister of State (Independent Charge), Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation (2003–2004); and Minister of State (Independent Charge), Labour and Employment (2014–2017). He was the Governor of Himachal Pradesh from 11 September 2019 to 14 July 2021. He remained the Governor of Haryana from 15 July 2021 to July 20, 2025).
As Governor, Shri Dattatraya has focused on promoting values of good governance, transparency, youth empowerment, and the welfare of the underprivileged. An ardent social worker at heart, Shri Dattatraya has consistently worked for slum development with a focus on housing and drinking water; he was the founder of Siva Bharathi Slum Development Organisation (1979), and President of Samskara Bharathi Cultural Organisation. He also served as the General Secretary of Voluntary Organisations India, Joint Secretary, Andhra Pradesh Cyclone Committee (RSS), and Member of Tobacco Board (1991–96), Coconut Board (1991–96), Railway Advisory Committee (1991–96), and Telephone Advisory Committee (1991–96).
Shri Bandaru Dattatraya’s life has been an inspiring journey of selfless service, political integrity, and commitment to social upliftment. From his early years as a dedicated RSS worker to his current constitutional role as the Governor of Haryana, he remains a stalwart of Indian public life, known for his humility, simplicity, and deep-rooted concern for the welfare of the people.