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After almost a decade, 61-year-old Suresh Prabhu returns to the Union Cabinet.
Known for his financial and technical competency, Prabhu’s absorption into the Modi Cabinet was expected for sometime now.
But, the hitch was the party – Shiv Sena – he belonged to. Till late Sunday afternoon as Prabhu got ready take oath, it was not clear whether he was taking oath as a BJP nominee or a Shiv Sena representative.
It was only later that it came out in public domain that Prabhu has quit Sena and joined BJP.
Described as a banker politician, Prabhu is known for his integrity. Before joining politics in March 1996, he was a practising chartered accountant.
A former Chairman of Saraswat Bank, Prabhu’s public life began after being appointed Chairman of Maharashtra State Finance Commission in 1995.
Prabhu is a Commerce graduate and a chartered accountant and also holds a Law Degree from Mumbai University.
From the coastal Konkan region of Maharashtra, he began his political career in March 1996 after winning the Lok Sabha elections from Rajapur (currently known as Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg) constituency in Maharashtra on a Shiv Sena ticket.
Between 1996 and 2009, he won the seat four times before losing in 2009.
His connect to the corporate world is well known.
Speaking recently at a sustainability summit, Prabhu said “It should be made mandatory for companies to report not just on their financial numbers but also sustainability. India should take the lead in making integrated reporting mandatory for companies.”
He is already heading the Advisory Group for Integrated Development of Power, Coal and Renewable Energy as well as the Council on Energy, Environment and Water.
Prabhu was a Minister in the previous NDA Governments too.
He became the Union Minister for Industries in 1996, which was his first stint as a Minister.
In 1998, he took charge as the Minister for Environment and Forests before becoming the Minister for Fertilisers and Chemicals in 1999.
Prabhu’s stint as the Minister of Power in 2002 has drawn praises from all quarters for the efficient manner in which he handled his job.
Subsequently, he was also the Minister of Heavy Industry and Public Enterprises and Chairman Task Force for Interlinking of Rivers – a role which was granted Cabinet Minister rank and status.
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