Rajiv Pratap Rudy’s continued dominance at the Constitution Club is evident through his recent triumph over Sanjeev Balyan. His sustained influence is demonstrated by his victories in 2009, 2014, and 2019, achieved without opposition. As a seasoned five-time Lok Sabha member, Rudy faced a notable challenge from Sanjeev Balyan, a member of his own party, in the latest election. His role as secretary of the club for 25 years underscores his significant contribution.
The Constitution Club’s activities were initially limited, but this changed when the then-Lok Sabha Speaker, GMC Balayogi, established a vision committee in 1998-99. Rudy, a senior BJP leader and seven-time MP representing Saran, Bihar, was appointed as secretary (administration), which was a crucial move.
During the tenure of Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, an election system was introduced, with the club’s bylaws being approved on August 2, 2008. The governing council’s first election took place on February 18, 2009.
Born on March 30, 1962, Rudy’s political journey is highlighted by defeating Rabri Devi in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Before entering politics, he served as a lecturer at Patna’s AN College. Prior to his academic career, he was actively involved in student politics.
In 1990, Rudy was elected as an MLA from the Taraiya assembly at the age of 28. In 1996, he was elected as an MP on a BJP ticket, later becoming Minister of State for Commerce and Industry in 1999. He was later given independent charge of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
In 2008, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Bihar, and in 2014, he returned to the Lok Sabha, defeating Rabri Devi from Saran. On November 9, 2014, he was appointed Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. In 2019, he prevailed over Chandrika Rai, and in the 2024 election, he defeated Rohini Acharya.
Rudy’s educational background includes schooling at St. Michael’s High School, followed by pre-university and pre-engineering studies at DAV College in Chandigarh. He holds a BA (Honors) in Economics from Government College, Chandigarh, and law degrees from Punjab University (1985) and a post-graduate degree in Economics from Magadh University (1987).
Rudy is also a commercial pilot, qualified to fly the A-320 aircraft, trained at SimCenter in Miami, Florida. He frequently pilots flights between Patna and Delhi.
The Constitution Club of India, founded in 1947, is often called a mini-parliament. It was originally designed for dialogue among Constituent Assembly members, later becoming a club for MPs. Its formal structure was established in 1965 under President Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, serving as a central point for activities and interactions among current MPs.