Vinod Tawde
With experience ranging over the past 4 decades, Vinod Tawde has struck a perfect balance of aggression and prudence which is showcased in his style of leadership. Beginning his journey into politics as a student activist with Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Tawde has honed his skills at the grassroots and paving a path upward the political cadre in Maharashtra and now in Delhi, with consistent diligence, commitment to the greater good of the nation, patience and honest efforts towards public service.
Vinod Tawde currently holds office as General Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He is a former Minister in the Government of Maharashtra with School Education, Higher and Technical Education, Medical Education, Sports and Youth Welfare, Minority development as well as Marathi Bhasha (Language) and Culture as his portfolios. He also served as the Guardian Minister for Suburban Mumbai during his term.
Before being elected as the Cabinet Minister, He was the Leader of Opposition and was elected three times as a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council. He held the position of BJP Maharashtra General Secretary from 1995 to 1999. During his tenure as a Leader of opposition, Vinod Tawde ensured that all the irregularities and corruption by Congress-NCP Govt was exposed, raised voice for public concern issues and toured the state extensively to ensure the allocation of funds to areas affected by natural calamities. Vinod Tawde’s brush with Atal Bihari Vajpayee, BJP’s erstwhile Prime Minister ensured sanction of the ‘Mumbai Urban Transport Project – I (MUTP-I)’ to improve the road and rail transportation in Mumbai.
He advocated for the reservation of the Maratha community and was a key figure in its implementation. The issues of youth have always been a high priority on his agenda and he worked actively towards addressing their various issues.
The Man Behind the Name
Born on July 20, 1963, in a middle-class Maharashtrian family residing in Mumbai, Vinod Tawde was always an early starter. While he has many that look up to him, his personal ability to be inspired remains high. He has had many mentors who shaped him into the man we see today. He idolises Swami Vivekananda and Veer Sawarkar. He accredits Bal Apte and Madan Das Devi who have inspired him since his early days in ABVP. Shri. Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani as political guides for him. His experiences working closely with Pramod Mahajan, Gopinath Munde and Nitin Gadkari have shaped his dedication to work with the core of developmental politics at the heart of everything he takes forward. He accredits his ability to look at the larger picture by learning and observing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh.
As a person, what holds him is patience, his sense of quiet calm, his ability to cut through layers of society and connect with people and his strong conviction. Speed is the essence of life and he looks upon ‘change’ as the only ‘constant’. Those who have interacted with Vinod Tawde know him as a leader with deep, ground connections, attribute him as someone who has the ability to continuously look at the big picture and also drive execution at grass root levels with energy, empathy, enthusiasm and sheer motivation
Milestone Timeline
Joined Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP)
1980Appointed as Secretary-General of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (1988-89)
1988Appointed as National Secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (1993-94)
1993Joined Politics as an active member of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)
1994Appointed as the General Secretary - Bhartiya Janata Party, Maharashtra (1995-1999)
1995Appointed as youngest President of Mumbai Region of Bhartiya Janata Party (1999-2002)
1999State General Secretary - Bhartiya Janata Party (2002-2014)
2002Opposition Leader - Legislative Council, Maharashtra (2011-20014)
2011MLA - Legislative Assembly (2014-2019)
2014Minister – Maharashtra Government, School Education, Higher and Technical Education, Medical Education, Sports and Youth Welfare, Cultural Activities, Marathi Language
2014Minister - Maharashtra Government, School Education, Higher and Technical Education, Sports and Youth Welfare, Cultural Affairs, Marathi Language, Minority Development and Wakf
2016Minister - Maharashtra government, School Education, Parliamentary Affairs, Higher and Technical Education, Cultural Affairs, Marathi Language, Minority Development and Wakf
2019National General Secretary - Bhartiya Janata Party
2021