Rajendra Bharti

Rajendra Bharti is an Indian politician and a leader of the Indian National Congress.^[1] He has been elected thrice as a Member of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly from the Datia Vidhansabha constituency, in 1985, 1998 and currently serving as a member of the 16th Madhya Pradesh Assembly from the Datia Vidhansabha.^[2][3][4][5]

Rajendra Bharti
Member of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Incumbent
Assumed office December 2023
Preceded by	Narottam Mishra
In office 1998–2003
Preceded by	Ghanshyam Singh
Succeeded by	Ghanshyam Singh
In office 1985–1990
Preceded by	Shyam Sundar Shyam
Succeeded by	Shambhu Tiwari
Personal details
Born	(1958-05-30) 30 May 1958 (age 67) Datia, Madhya Pradesh, India
Political party	Indian National Congress
Spouse	Shobha Bharti
Children	3
Parent	Shyam Sundar Shyam (father)
Alma mater	Jiwaji University (B.A.) Dr. Hari Singh Gour University (L.L.B)
Profession	Advocate, Politician

Personal life

Rajendra Bharti was born in Datia, Madhya Pradesh. He earned his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws degrees, completing his graduation. Professionally, he is an advocate and politician. His father, Shyam Sundar Shyam, was a five-term MLA from Datia, Madhya Pradesh a freedom fighter, and a renowned socio-political figure in Madhya Pradesh.^[6][7]

Political career

Rajendra Bharti  a prominent Indian politician, embarked on his political journey as a youth volunteer within the Congress party, during the tenure of his father, Shyam Sundar Shyam, who served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). His active involvement led him to make substantial contributions to the Congress Sevadal, where he ascended to the position of President in the District Congress Committee in Datia.^[8]

Rajendra Bharti with The Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1985

Bharti has participated in Eight elections spanning from 1985 to the present. Notably, he emerged victorious in three of these elections, securing his seat in 1985, 1998, and 2023.^[9]From 1984 to 2000, Rajendra Bharti served as the Chairman of the Agricultural Rural Development Bank in Datia, playing a crucial role in the economic development of the region. Additionally, he held the esteemed position of Vice-Chairman of the State Cooperative Agricultural Development Bank of Madhya Pradesh from 1997 to 2003.^[10]

In 1997, he travelled to Paris, England, Austria, the Netherlands, Italy, and Germany for research purposes.In 1978, he was elected General Secretary in the direct elections held in Government College Datia. Throughout his political career, Rajendra Bharti faced several challenges. He was arrested multiple times, notably in 1978 at the time of arrest of Indira Gandhi, he went to jail along with his father Late Shri Shyam Sundar Shyam, a freedom fighter and Deputy Speaker of Vindhya Pradesh^[11] and also between 1990 and 1992, and served time in jail for his activism. From 1991 to 1996, he was the President of the District Congress Committee (DCC).^[12]

Controversy

He filed a case related to paid news against the former Home Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Narottam Mishra, which resulted in Narottam Mishra being suspended from the legislative body.^[13]