Politics is all about public pulse and social responsibility. Nobody embodies this better than Shaktisinh Gohil.
The former National Spokesperson, Ex-MP & Ex-Leader of the Opposition in the Gujarat Assembly, Shaktisinh Gohil represents the philosophy of the Congress: a united, young, and dynamic India.
Known for his integrity and inspiring oratorical skills, Shaktisinh Gohil is a New Age politician.
Born on April 04, 1960, in Limda, Bhavnagar district, Shaktisinh was instilled with the values of generosity, social service, and team spirit by his family.
His tryst with social service and leadership began right from his school and college days. He got associated with the Congress in the early ‘80s whilst in college, an association he is proud to cherish. Shaktisinh has a Master of Laws degree along with diplomas in journalism and computer.
Shaktisinh Gohil was soon spotted by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at a national function.
Shaktisinh Gohil was already a leader at the grassroots level with a strong presence in the district panchayat and district Congress. He got elected as MLA from Bhavnagar South constituency in ’90 and got the privilege of becoming the youngest minister in ’92 in the cabinet of late Chief Minister Chimanbhai Patel.
Shaktisinh has held the ministries of finance, education, health, Narmada, general administration department, environment and technical education.
A committed politician, Shaktisinh resigned as the Minister of State for Health in 1994, demanding a medical college for Bhavnagar. His first loyalty was with his electorate, he said, which deserved the medical college. His resignation galvanized the government to allocate a medical college to Bhavnagar. This, to date, remains the only medical college in Bhavnagar, a district with a population of over 15 lakh.
Shaktisinh Gohil has the credit of representing the Bhavnagar South constituency thrice in the Gujarat Assembly, which reflects the mutual commitment between Shaktisinh Gohil and the people of Bhavnagar. In 2014, he was also elected as MLA from Abdasa constituency in Kutch.
A widely traveled politician, Shaktisinh is known for his secular views. He strongly believes that India can be a superpower only when the adage of unity in diversity becomes a reality. An abhorrent of sectarian politics, Shaktisinh Gohil became the Leader of the Opposition in Gujarat in 2008 and has successfully exposed the vindictive and deceitful politics of the current Gujarat Government. Politics is all about public pulse and social responsibility. Nobody embodies this better than Shaktisinh Gohil.
Personal Information
| Father’s Name | Shri Harichandrasinhji Gohil |
| Mother’s Name | Shrimati Rajendrakumariba Gohil |
| Date of Birth | 4th April, 1960 |
| Place of Birth | Limbda (Hanubhana), Dist. Bhavnagar, Gujarat |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Legislative Law, Diploma in Journalism, |
| Masters of Legislative Law (LL.M.) Educated at Bhavnagar University, Bhavnagar, Saurashtra University | |
| Profession | Agriculturist/ Farmer, Advocate |
| Permanent Address | 202, Rajvi Tower, Rajvansh Building, Satya Marg, Bodakdev, Ahmedabad – 380054 |
| Contact Number | 079- 26851555 |
Positions Held
- National Spokesperson, Indian National Congress
- Ex-President – Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee
- June 2020 to June 2026 – Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha)
- 1990-95, 1995-98,2007-2012 and 2014-2017 – Member, Gujarat Legislative Assembly (four terms)
- 1992-95 – Minister of State for Finance, Education, Health, Environment, Narmada, General Administration Department, Technical Education and Education Policy, Government of Gujarat
- 1995-98 – Chief Whip, Congress Legislature Party, Gujarat Legislative
- 2008-2012 – Leader of Opposition, Gujarat Legislative
- 2014-2017 – Chairman, Public Accounts Committee, Gujarat Legislative Assembly
- 2017-2023 – In-charge Bihar, Haryana & Delhi for Indian National Congress
- July 2020 – Sept. 2021 – Member, Committee on Information
- 2020 Onwards – Member, Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Defence
- May 2021 Onwards – Member, Public Accounts
- June -2021 – Member, Working Group-I – (Civil) of the Public Accounts Committee
- 2021 -June 2026 – Convenor, Sub-Committee I (Civil) of the Public Accounts Committee
- 2021-April 2022 – Member, Sub-Committee V (Implementation of recommendations of PAC) of the Public Accounts Committee
- 2021-Sept. 2022 – Member, Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture
- 2022 onwards – Member, Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas
Social and Cultural Activities, Literary, Artistic and Scientific Accomplishments and other Special Interests
Promotion of folk music, regional languages, secularism and rationality
Other Interests
Cricket, volleyball and chess; led local Cricket clubs (Bhavnagar Cricket Club); interests include travelling, reading, music, yoga and films
Countries Visited
- Japan, as Indian delegate for the Youth invitation program organized by the Government of Japan and Government of India, 1989
- Malaysia, as Gujarat Observer for the 42nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC), 1996
- London (U.K.), to attend the 5th International Parliamentary Governance Seminar, 2010
- U.S.A., to attend the ‘Chalo Gujarat’ World Gujarati Conference and meeting with Gujarati NRIs, 2012
- Sri Lanka, as Gujarat observer for the 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC), 2012
- Cameroon, as Gujarat observer for the 60th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC), 2014
Other
Vice-President, Bhavnagar District Panchayat, 1986-90; served as Director, State Youth Board, Gujarat