Narendra Modi's cabinet expansion: JP Nadda, a master strategist gets his reward

A master-strategist and a trusted lieutenant of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as BJP President Amit Shah, Jagat Prakash Nadda's entry into the Government is a vindication of his efficiency and dependability who prefers to work behind the scenes.

A prominent student leader during his college days, mild-mannered Nadda, 53, known as a tough task master, was a strong contender for the post of BJP President but extended full support to Shah after losing out on the race earlier this year.

Nadda is seen as a member of the most powerful troika along with Modi and Shah. He is known to be part of all major decision making processes in the party and is likely to be the bridge between the party and the government.

He also enjoys support from the RSS and has good equations with all prominent leaders of the BJP.

Born on December 2, 1960 in Patna, Nadda has emerged as a very strong political figure from Himachal Pradesh in the last few years where he was an MLA before entering the Rajya Sabha.

Nadda was involved in student politics and became the active member of ABVP. He won the polls to become Secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad in Patna University in 1977. He had served ABVP for nearly 13 years from 1977-1990 and held various key positions.

At the age of 31, Nadda had become National President of BJP Yuva Morcha in 1991. He has been BJP's National General Secretary since May 2010.

His involvement with BJP from that young age has made him realize the importance of training at the grass root level. He also takes personality development and time management workshops for the party workers.

Nadda was member of Himachal Legislative Assembly from 1993-98, 1998-2003 and 2007-2012.

He served as Health Minister in the state from 1998-2003 and from 2008-2010, Minister of Forest and Environment, Science and Technology.

In April 2012, he was elected to Rajya Sabha and has been member of various Parliamentary Committees.

Nadda was inspired by the JP Movement and joined students politics. His father was a Vice Chancellor in Patna University.

He spent his youth in Bihar before moving to Himachal Pradesh.