Mukesh Agnihotri is an Indian journalist-turned-politician and a member of the Indian National Congress. He is a five-time MLA from Haroli (formerly Santokhgarh) constituency. On December 11, 2022, Mukesh was appointed as the First Deputy Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.
Wiki/Biography
Mukesh Agnihotri was born on Tuesday, October 9, 1962, in Sangrur, Punjab (age 60; as of 2022). His zodiac sign is Libra. He grew up in Una and attended school there. He holds a master’s degree. BA in Mathematics and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations and Advertising.
appearance
Height (approximately): 5′7″
Hair color: dark brown
Eye color: dark brown
family
Parents and siblings
Mukesh’s father, Pandit Omkar Chand Sharma, was a politician and Indian National Congress MP who served as Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister during the Virbhadra Singh government in 1993. Vice Chairman, Agricultural Products Packaging Department, Machal State. Omkar Sharma contested the 1998 Legislative Assembly elections. A Congress ticket, but lost to BJP candidate Pandit Jackieshan Sharma. Omkar also served as District Public Relations Officer (DPRO), Himachal Pradesh. On March 28, 2016, his father passed away due to long-term illness. Mukesh’s elder brother Rakesh Agnihotri is a doctor. He has three sisters.
Mukesh Agnihotri’s parents
Mukesh Agnihotri and his family
wife and children
Mukesh Agnihotri married Simmi Agnihotri on April 8, 1992. Simmi is currently a professor in the Department of Public Administration, Himachal Pradesh University. The couple has a daughter named Aastha Agnihotri who is a social activist.
Mukesh Agnihotri with wife and daughter
religion
Mukesh Agnihotri follows Hinduism.
caste
Mukesh Agnihotri was born into a Brahmin family.
address
Mukesh’s permanent address is Astha Kunj, Village & PO Gondpur Jaichand, Tehsil Haroli, District Una, Himachal Pradesh
sign
Signature of Mukesh Agnihotri
Profession
Journalism
Mukesh Agnihotri started his journalism career as a journalist for Veer Pratap, a Shimla-based Hindi daily. He worked there for a while and then joined Janasatta (Indian Express Group) in Shimla as a senior reporter. He worked there for about 10 years and later moved to Delhi, where he was promoted to bureau chief. Three years later, he resigned and entered politics. As a journalist, he has served on numerous committees, including the Press Accreditation Council (HP Government), the National Press Advisory Council, the State Legislative Assembly Press Gallery Committee, and the Government Press Council. Pahari Language Committee. He also serves as General Secretary of Press Club (Shimla) and PCC and President of Media Cell PCC.
politics
While working as a journalist in Delhi, Agnihotri grew closer to Congress leader Virbhadra Singh, after which he decided to join the Indian National Congress. After seeing Mukesh’s involvement in party affairs, Virbhadra Singh suggested him to contest the Legislative Assembly elections. In 2003, Mukesh Agnihotri was elected to the Legislative Assembly from Santohgarh constituency. From March 2003 to August 2005, he served as Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) and Chairman, Housing Committee, in the government led by Virbhadra Singh.
Mukesh Agnihotri addresses Congress workers meeting in Kangar, Haroli
In 2007, he secured a majority and won a seat in Congress for the second time. During his second term, Mukesh served as a member of the Subordinate Legislative Committee, General Development Committee, Public Accounts Committee and Human Development Committee. After delimitation in 2008, Santokhgarh was converted into the seat of Haroli Parliament. In 2012, Agnihotri was elected to Haroli parliamentary seat for the third time. From 2012 to 2017, Mukesh served in the cabinet as Industry Minister, also responsible for labor and employment, parliamentary affairs, and information and public relations. During his tenure, he worked hard to solve the problems of the people of Haroli and provide good educational facilities to the students.
Mukesh Agnihotri inaugurate third government college in Haroli
In 2017, Mukesh contested and won the Haroli parliamentary seat for the fourth consecutive time. This time, however, the government was formed by the Bharatiya Janata Party. Agnihotri was appointed Leader of the Opposition the following year and he fiercely opened a front against the Jairam government. In 2018, he was also nominated as a member of the Business Advisory Committee of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly. During the 2022 state elections, the Indian National Congress leader has identified Agnihotri as a star campaigner. Mukesh held several rallies across the state to campaign for Congress candidates. Agnihotri was elected to the 14th Legislative Assembly of Himachal Pradesh from Haroli constituency on December 8, 2022.
Mukesh Agnihotri during election campaign in Unaharoli
Later, Mukesh was appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. Agnihotri was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh on December 11, 2022 at the historic Ridge in Shimla. Party General Secretary Kharg, Indian Youth Congress Chairman Rahul Gandhi, All India Congress Committee Secretary-General Priyanka Gandhi, who is responsible for Uttar Pradesh, and many other senior Congress Party leaders attended the oath-taking ceremony.
Mukesh Agnihotri sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh at Shimla’s historic Ridge
Addressing the media after being appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Mukesh Agnihotri said that the Congress was firm in fulfilling its commitments. He continued,
Our goal is to deliver on some of the promises within 10 days or in the first cabinet. If a cabinet is not formed, then only the cabinet of the chief minister and deputy chief minister can convene the first cabinet meeting. We will implement it in it. The old pension scheme will be reinstated. Earlier people said that the Congress will not come to power in any state, but today we have stopped the ‘wrath’ of the BJP. “
Before becoming an MP, Mukesh served as secretary-general and chairman of the Himachal Pradesh media cell of the Congress.
dispute
pending cases
- 1 count related to assault on the President, Governor etc. with intent to compel or restrain the exercise of any lawful power (Section 124 IPC)
- 4 charges related to punishment for members of unlawful assembly (Section 143 IPC)
- 3 charges related to disobeying an order duly issued by a public servant (Section 188 IPC)
convicted cases
- 3 charges related to punishment of undue restraint (Section 341 IPC)
- 2 charges related to conduct endangering the life or personal safety of others (Section 336 IPC)
- 1 charge related to penalty for voluntarily causing hurt (Section 323 IPC)
- 1 charge of deterring a public servant from discharging his duties by assault or criminal force (Section 353 IPC)
- 1 charge related to intentional insult with intent to incite breach of peace (Section 504 IPC)
- 1 charge related to conduct done by several persons in furtherance of common intention (Section 34 IPC)
Assets and property
movable property
- Bank Deposit Rs. 74,88,261
- Motor vehicle Rs. 3,59,263
- Gold Jewelry Rs. 7, 52,000
real estate
- Agricultural land Rs 7, 71, 037
- Residential Building Rs. 60,00,000
Note: The movable and immovable property estimates given are based on 2022. Excludes assets owned by his wife and dependents (minors).
net worth
As of 2022, Mukesh’s net worth is estimated to be Rs. 1,54,20,561.
Note: Does not include the net worth of his wife and dependents (minors).
Facts/Trivia
- In his free time, Mukesh enjoys writing, reading, listening to music, singing, playing the harmonica, and playing badminton.
- From 1994 to 1995, he won the Best Reporting Award for his coverage of that year’s parliamentary proceedings.
- In 2022, Agnihotri is one of the front-runners for the post of chief minister of Himachal Pradesh. However, the party chose Sukhvinder Singh Suhu for the post and made him deputy chief minister.
- Apparently, Mukesh Agnihotri was very close to former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his family.
- In 2018, when Mukesh was elected leader of opposition, the Himachal Pradesh government had no houses left to allot to Agnihotri as all the government houses were occupied by BJP ministers and other government officials. The government then decided to allot him an apartment, but Mukesh refused to live there. Later, this matter caused great controversy.
- As a religious man, Mukesh often visited various temples with his family.
Mukesh Agnihotri with wife and daughter at Jwala Ji temple
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education