The Advisory Council Members

A. N. Shamseer, a popular political figure from Kerala, has been serving as the Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly since 2022. He represents the Thalassery State Assembly Constituency. Shri Shamseer has a rich political background. He began his journey as an activist for the Students’ Federation of India, serving in various leadership positions, including the College Union General Secretary of Govt. Brennen College, Thalassery and the President of the SFI Kannur District Committee.

Awadh Bihari Choudhary, also known as Awadh Bihari Yadav, is a prominent political leader. He has been elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly five times from the Siwan constituency. He was also recently appointed as the Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly in August 2022. Shri Awadh Bihari has been the Education Minister of the state in the past.

Basavaraj Shivalingappa Horatti is a distinguished leader with a long-standing career as a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council, having first been elected in the early 1980s. Currently serving as the Chairman of the Council, he has held this position twice, most recently since December 21, 2022. Shri Basavaraj’s eight consecutive terms make him the longest-serving member of the Council.

He has also held leadership positions in various associations and councils, including as President of the Karnataka High School Teachers Association, Vice President of the Karnataka State Sports Council, and President of the Karnataka University Theatre Lecturers Association.

Biman Banerjee is currently the Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. He has served in this role since May 30, 2011, and is a current representative of the Baruipur Paschim constituency. Shri Banerjee completed his education from Calcutta University in 1970.

Biswajit Daimary hails from Assam. Initially elected as a member of the Assam Legislative Assembly from 2001 to 2006, he then went on to serve as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha from 2008 to 2014. He resigned from the Rajya Sabha in November 2020 and was re-elected in February 2021. Currently, he is the Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly. With a background in higher secondary education from Kokrajhar College and post-graduation from Madurai Kamaraj University, Shri Daimary continues to serve in the Rajya Sabha, representing the people of Assam.

Dr. C.P. Joshi is currently serving as the Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly. With a strong political background, he was first elected as the President of the Student Union at Mohanlal Sukhadia University in 1973. Throughout his political career, Dr. Joshi has held various important positions such as Cabinet Minister, and the Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj. After serving at key party positions, Dr. Joshi was unanimously elected Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly in 2019.

Charan Das Mahant is a prominent leader who has held several important positions both at the state and national levels and is widely regarded as a brilliant and visionary leader. Shri Mahant is the Speaker of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly and a former Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing. He has also served as a Member of Parliament, and as a member of various committees. His unwavering commitment to public service has earned him the respect and admiration of his constituents and colleagues alike.

Devesh Chandra Thakur hails from Sitamarhi, Bihar. He currently holds the position of Chairman of the Bihar Legislative Council and was sworn into office on August 25, 2022. Shri Thakur boasts a political career, having served as a cabinet minister in the Government of Bihar. A seasoned leader, Shri Thakur has been elected to the Bihar Legislative Council four times from the Tirhut Graduate Constituency, encompassing Sitamarhi, Muzaffarpur, Vaisali, and Sheohar. With an educational background from Sainik School in Pune, Fergusson College in Pune, and ILS Law College, he has established himself as a notable figure in the realm of Bihar politics, commonly referred to as the “Ajatshatru” of Tirhut politics, due to his persistent victories in elections.

Gian Chand Gupta is a prominent political figure and is serving as the Speaker of the Haryana Legislative Assembly. He was elected unanimously on November 4, 2019, and represents the Panchkula constituency in Haryana. Throughout his political career, Shri Gupta has held various positions including Mayor of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation and State Treasurer in Haryana. He has also served as State Convener of “Ajeewan Sahyog Nidhi” and as Chairman of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha’s Public Accounts Committee. He has been a member of the Haryana Legislative Assembly since November 4, 2019.

Girish Gautam, a seasoned leader from Madhya Pradesh, is the current Speaker of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly. Representing the Deotalab Assembly constituency, Shri Girish holds a strong belief in the purpose of education as a tool for building a fulfilling life, as opposed to just acquiring linguistic knowledge. He aspires to make education more practical and employment-oriented while preserving traditional values. With a passion for rediscovering Bharat’s rich cultural history, he works towards promoting the scientific and linguistic achievements of the Vedic period.

Kultar Singh Sandhwan, a prominent political leader, holds the position of the 18th Speaker of the Punjab Legislative Assembly since March 21, 2022. He represents the Kotkapura Assembly constituency. During his first term from 2017 to 2022, Shri Sandhwan served as the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and was a member of the Library and Subordinate Legislation Committees. In his second term, he was elected as the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly.

Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Speaker of Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, has had a remarkable political career spanning over three decades. He has been a champion for marginalised communities, providing free legal aid and promoting social justice. Pathania has held various significant positions in the State Legislative Assembly and chaired important committees. His dedication was recognised with the ‘Best Parliamentarian’ award in 1994. His recent election as the Speaker only reinforces his stature as a respected leader.

Kunwar Manvendra Singh, a distinguished political figure has held various prominent positions throughout his career. Shri Manvendra is currently the Chairman of UP Legislative Council. He has served as a Member of the Legislative Council in Uttar Pradesh for three terms and as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in Uttar Pradesh for one term. Shri Manvendra has held the esteemed position of Chairman of Laghu Jal Vidyut Nigam government of Uttar Pradesh in the past. His commitment to public service, social justice, economic growth, and the advancement of marginalised communities has garnered him widespread admiration.

Metbah Lyngdoh has won the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election three times from the Mairang constituency. In the past as well, he has served as the Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. As a Minister, he has held portfolios such as Excise Registration Taxation Stamps, Home (Civil Defence and Home Guards), Tourism, and Water Resources from 2018 to 2019. His dedication to his work, special interest in planning and innovation, and involvement in the UDP make him a valuable member of society.

Pasang Dorjee Sona is a prominent leader from Arunachal Pradesh, currently serving as MLA for the 33rd Mechukha Assembly Constituency. A graduate of law, he was elected to this position for the third time in 2019. In June 2019, Sona was elected as the Speaker of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, demonstrating his leadership and dedication to public service. His commitment to improving the lives of his constituents has earned him a prominent place in the history of Bhartiya politics.

Rabindra Nath Mahato is a seasoned leader and the current Speaker of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly. Shri Mahato began his political journey as an independent candidate in Barawa, Jamtara, Jharkhand. He has gained popularity for his leadership and straightforward demeanour. He was elected to the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly from the Nala constituency in 2005, 2014, and 2019. As the 7th speaker of the Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha, Shri Mahato has implemented measures to improve legislative work and recently presided over the celebration of the 20th foundation day of the Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha.

Satish Mahana is a notable political figure. He holds the position of the Speaker in the Legislative Assembly. With seven successful terms as MLA for, the largest cantonment in Bharat-Kanpur Cantonment, Shri Mahana has proven his commitment to serving his constituents. During his tenure as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development from 1997 to 2002, he demonstrated remarkable skills and was reappointed to the same position. Shri Satish Mahana is often referred to in the slogan, “Mahana is the name with whom the world is with.”

Rahul Narwekar holds the position of Speaker in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. In 2016, he was elected as a Governor’s Nominee to the Maharashtra Legislative Council. Currently, Shri Nawekar is serving as the MLA for Mumbai’s Colaba constituency. At the age of 44, he is the second youngest speaker of any state in Bharat.

Ram Niwas Goel is a well-regarded figure for his contributions to social work, particularly in the fields of education and health care for underprivileged communities. He is the founder member of the Maharaja Agrasen Sewa Sansthan. Shri Goel holds several non-profit positions including Chief Organizer of Delhi-UP Border Shiv Kanwad Samiti and Chief Advisor of Maharaja Agrasen Sewa Sangh. Currently, he serves as the Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly and represents Shahdara constituency.

Ramesh Tawadkar is a distinguished leader hailing from the state of Goa. He is the Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly and also represents the Canacona constituency in the Legislative Assembly. With a strong political background and impressive portfolio, Shri Tawadkar is a respected figure in the realm of Bharatiya politics.

Ritu Khanduri made history as the first female speaker of the Uttarakhand assembly. Elected unopposed to the position, she presides over the fifth legislative assembly of the state, representing the Kotdwar constituency. Smt Khanduri Bhushan’s election represents a significant milestone in the representation of women in the state’s political arena.

Brij Behari Lal Butail is a prominent leader who hails from Palampur. He served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly of Palampur and also held the position of 12th Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly. Throughout his career, he was elected to the State Legislative Assembly multiple times and held important posts such as Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Revenue Minister, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister, and Speaker of the H.P. Vidhan Sabha.

Charanjit Singh Atwal is a seasoned leader who served as the Deputy Speaker of the 14th Lok Sabha from 2004 to 2009. Born in Montgomery, Punjab, he was raised in a Sikh family and later graduated from GGN Khalsa College and obtained an LLB degree from Panjab University. Shri Atwal has been a prominent figure in the Parliament for 20 years and has over four decades of experience in governance. He was previously a member of the Lok Sabha and the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly.

Chotisuh Sazo is an important political figure hailing from Nagaland. In 2008, Shri Sazo was elected as an independent candidate to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Welfare and Women’s Development. In 2013, he was elected as the Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and previously served as a Cabinet Minister for PHE Nagaland.

D. H. Shankaramurthy is a seasoned leader from Karnataka. He has held the position of Chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council in the past. Shri Shankaramurthy was born in Shimoga, where he completed his science degree at Bangalore University.While serving as the Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Board, the board was revamped to have more powers and responsibilities, leading to the creation of “Karnataka Vision 2020”. Shri Shankaramurthy is widely regarded as an honourable, intelligent leader across party lines.

Dilip Datta Walse is a veteran leader from Ambegaon, Maharashtra, and a seven-term Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. He served as the Minister of Home Affairs and previously held various important cabinet positions including the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Energy, Higher and Technical Education, and Medical Education from 1999 to 2009. Shri Walse-Patil is credited for his efforts to make medical seat admission procedures more transparent and for encouraging the establishment of new engineering colleges by streamlining the approval process.

Prof. Dinesh Oraon is a respected leader from Jharkhand. He held the esteemed position of Speaker of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly from 2014 to 2019, having been elected to the assembly twice from the Sisai constituency in 2000 and 2014. With roots in Murgu, Sisai Gumla district and a Master’s degree, as well as a PhD, Prof. Oraon has a distinguished academic background, having previously served as a lecturer at Ranchi University.

Govind Singh Kunjwal is a prominent political figure who has been a part of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly. He gained representation for the Jageshwar constituency in the 2002 election and previously held the prestigious position of the Speaker in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly.

Hitendra Nath Goswami has been one of the key figures from Assam politics and is credited to serve Assamese society, despite a lack of political experience and left behind his successful career to enter active politics. He was elected to the Assam Legislative Assembly in 1991 and went on to win the 1996 and 2001 elections, during which he served as the Power Minister. Despite financial constraints, Shri Goswami accomplished notable feats, including the construction of river erosion protectors and addressing Jorhat’s drinking water shortage, improving traffic flow and reducing anti-social behaviour in the area, relocating the Rain Forest Research Institute, and establishing numerous socio-cultural institutions.

Kethi Reddy Suresh Reddy is a highly regarded leader and current Member of the Rajya Sabha for Telangana. He has a long-standing political career, having served as the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Andhra Pradesh from 2004 to 2009 and as a four-time MLA from the Balkonda Assembly constituency. Beginning his journey as a Mandal-level leader in 1984, Shri Reddy rose through the ranks to become the youngest Speaker of the 12th Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly at the age of 45.

Swamy Goud is a well-known political figure. From 2014 to 2019, he served as the Chairman of the Telangana Legislative Council. He holds the position of convener for the Telangana Joint Action Committee. On 21st February, Shri Goud emerged as the winner in the Karimnagar graduate constituency with 33,000 first preferential votes.

Kavinder Gupta is a veteran leader from Jammu and Kashmir. He holds the distinction of being the last Deputy Chief Minister of the state. Having been elected mayor of Jammu for three consecutive terms and he went on to be appointed as the speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Shri Gupta boasts a successful political career. In 2018, he was appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister of the state.

M.B. Rajesh is a prominent leader and is currently serving as the State Minister for Local Self-Governments and Excise in Kerala. He has previously held the post of Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly and represents the Thrithala State Assembly Constituency. Shri Rajesh was a Member of the Lok Sabha representing Palakkad Lok Sabha Constituency from 2009 to 2019. Born in Jalandhar, Punjab, he is a law and economics graduate and an advocate by profession. Shri Rajesh started his political journey in his school years and has held various leadership positions in student organisations.

Mata Prasad Pandey is a veteran leader who has served as the Speaker of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly for two terms. He currently represents the Itwa 305 constituency in Siddharthnagar, Uttar Pradesh. Throughout his illustrious career, Shri Pandey has been elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly seven times, participating in various political movements. He has also served on numerous committees within the Assembly, including the Assurance, Petition, and Delegated Legislation Committees, as well as serving as the Minister of Health and Labor and Employment.

Mohammad Haroon Rashid is a prominent leader who currently serves as the Chairman in Charge and Deputy Chairman of the Bihar Legislative Council. With a distinguished tenure in the council since 2008, he was unanimously elected to his current position following the election loss of the previous Deputy Chairman. Shri Rashid’s political journey began in 1974 with the JP Movement. As a well-respected figure, he is known for his unwavering commitment to empowering young people and contributing to the overall growth and prosperity of the state.

Nabam Rebia is a prominent political figure. As a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament, he represents the state of Arunachal Pradesh. Shri Rebia was previously the Speaker of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly and a member in the Rajya Sabha. Shri Rebia served as an MLA from Doimukh and held several important portfolios, such as Urban Development, Town Planning, Housing, Urban Local Bodies, and Law and Justice.

Nadendla Manohar is a seasoned leader who was elected to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 2004 and 2009, he held the position of Speaker from June 2011 to 2018, including serving as the last Speaker of the United Andhra Pradesh, prior to the formation of Telangana. With a rich political career and experience, Shri Manohar has made a significant impact in the realm of Bharatiya politics.

Nimaben Bhaveshbhai Acharya is a dedicated leader representing the Anjar constituency in the 12th legislative assembly of Gujarat. She has a strong background in public service, having served as a member of the Gujarat Family Planning Council. With a political career that spans over two decades, Smt Nimaben initially rose to prominence winning Assembly elections in 2002 and 2007.

P. Sreeramakrishnan is a popular leader based in Perinthalmanna, Kerala. He was elected to the Thirteenth Kerala Legislative Assembly in 2011 and served as its Speaker from 2016 to 2021. During his tenure, he implemented innovative methods to increase public involvement in the legislative process and organised the Festival on Democracy. Shri Sreeramakrishnan also established the Loka Kerala Sabha, a platform for global Keralites to engage in state affairs, and received recognition for his efforts in combating a flood crisis through the Ponnani Model. His vision for a progressive, democratic Kerala is often reflected in his literary works. Shri Sreeramakrishnan has received several awards, including the Pravasi Bharathi Award and Ideal Legislative Assembly Speaker Award.

Premchand Aggarwal is a prominent figure in the political space and serves as the MLA for Rishikesh in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. He has held this position since 2007 and has been re-elected for three consecutive terms. In the 2017 Assembly election, he emerged victorious. Shri Aggarwal is the former Speaker of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly, elected unopposed in March 2017.

Dr Rajeev Bindal, a popular figure in the political space, who holds the distinction of being a five-term consecutive Member of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly and Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. His representation of the Solan constituency for three consecutive terms from 2000 to 2012 showcases his political prowess. A doctor by profession, Dr. Bindal’s background in social service is exemplified through the Himgiri Kalyan Ashram, a charitable institution offering free education and boarding to underprivileged children.

Rajesh Tulshidas Patnekar, a well-respected politician, has made a significant impact through his service as a Member of the Goa Legislative Assembly. Representing the Bicholim constituency in North Goa, he has been elected three times, with his first election taking place in 2002. Shri Patnekar’s previous tenure as Chairman of the Khadi Village and Industries Board of the Government of Goa highlights his leadership skills. As a Member of the Goa Legislative Assembly, he has made a notable impact through his chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee and membership in various other committees.

Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar is a veteran leader from Maharashtra. He held the prestigious position of Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council for two terms, from 2015 to 2016 and from 2016 to 2022. Shri Nimbalkar’s initial term was slated to end in July 2016, however, he was re-elected without opposition in June 2016 for an extended term.

Dr. Sitasharan Sharma is a multi-talented leader hailing from Madhya Pradesh. He is a seasoned politician, well known lawyer, and accomplished doctor. During his tenure as the Speaker of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly from 2014-2019, Dr. Sharma showcased his leadership skills. He currently serves as the Narmadapuram MLA, a position he has held for five consecutive terms. From running a clinic for the underprivileged to establishing a school for economically challenged students, Dr. Sharma has made sure to contribute to the society.

Uday Narain Choudhary is a popular leader who has been the Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly from 2005 to 2015. He was a prominent leader representing the Imamganj Vidhan Sabha Constituency from 1990 to 1995 and then from 2000 to 2015.

V. Vaithilingam is a seasoned leader who currently holds a seat in Lok Sabha, representing the union territory of Puducherry. With a rich political heritage, he has served eight consecutive terms and was previously the 11th and 6th Chief Minister of Puducherry. During his tenure, he aimed to tackle the budget deficit, bolster the healthcare system, and promote private-sector involvement in public transport. Shri Vaithilingam served as Minister of Agriculture and Industries, before being elected as Chief Minister again from 2008 to 2011. Later, he served as leader of the opposition, and speaker of the house, and was finally elected as a Member of Parliament in 2019, where he won the Puducherry constituency.

Vijay Kumar Sinha is a prominent political figure in Bihar, serving as the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly and a Member of Parliament for Lakhisarai. He holds a B.Tech Diploma and is an Engineer by profession. With roots in Badpur village in Patna’s Mokama block, Shri Sinha started his political journey as a student. He went on to serve as the Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, where he made history by answering all questions in the house in his first year. Shri Sinha also established an online help desk for members and launched the 5 Sankalp initiative, which was launched by the Honourable President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind on the 100th anniversary of the Bihar Legislative Assembly.

Vipin Singh Parmar, who hails from a family of social workers, is an experienced political figure. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Government College Dharamshala and PGDCA and LLB from Himachal Pradesh University in Shimla .Since 1982, he has played a crucial role in promoting nationalist ideas and cultural values. He was nominated as a candidate in 1995 and was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from the Sullah Constituency in 1998, 2007, 2017, and 2022. Shri Parmar served as the Health Minister of Himachal Pradesh from 2017 to 2020, and was elected as the Speaker of the state’s 13th Legislative Assembly in 2020 and re-elected in the 14th Legislative Assembly in December 2022.