New Delhi: In a major political development, veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader George Kurian tendered his resignation from his post as the Union Minister of State (MoS) for Minority Affairs and Fisheries. The decision comes immediately after his six-year tenure in the Rajya Sabha came to an end.
Following the transition, the Rashtrapati Bhavan issued a formal statement confirming that the President of India, acting on the counsel of the Prime Minister, officially accepted Kurian’s exit from the Union Council of Ministers with immediate effect, invoking clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution.
Background and Ministerial Tenure
The 65-year-old leader had been operating as a Minister of State within the third union cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a responsibility he held since August 2024. Kurian has maintained a long-standing association with the BJP, serving as a dedicated member since the political party’s formation in 1980. Beyond his political career, he is also a qualified legal professional who has practiced as an Advocate before the Supreme Court of India.
Reports from Hindustan Times indicate that Kurian was required to step down from his ministerial office due to the expiration of his parliamentary term. It has been alleged that he was not selected for renomination to the upper house of Parliament because of the party’s underwhelming performance in the Kerala Assembly elections.
Early Life and Career Milestones
According to biographical details hosted on the official website of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Kurian was born on September 20, 1960, in Nambiakulam, located within the Ettumanoor Municipality of Kerala’s Kottayam District. He completed his primary and secondary schooling locally before going on to earn both his graduation and post-graduation degrees in Law.
His journey into the central ministry began when he was sworn in as a Union Minister of State on June 9, 2024. He subsequently assumed operational charge of his duties under the Ministry of Minority Affairs, as well as the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, on June 11, 2024.
Before elevated to a union cabinet role, Kurian accumulated significant administrative experience within governmental frameworks. He previously occupied the office of Vice-Chairman for the National Commission for Minorities. Additionally, he served as the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to O. Rajagopal, who was the Union Minister of State for Railways at the time.
Also Read: Scorching Heat Persists in Delhi as Monsoon Gains Momentum Across India