Beni Prasad Verma: Socialist with steely resolve
By IANSWednesday, January 19, 2011
NEW DELHI - New Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma, 69, a prominent former socialist leader with wide ministerial experience at the Centre and Uttar Pradesh, had joined the Congress in 2008, after breaking ranks with his mentor and Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav.
He had been a cabinet minister and a minister of state in charge of Communications in the United Front governments led by I.K. Gujral and H.D. Deve Gowda during 1996-98.
In Uttar Pradesh, he handled several important ministries including the public works department.
On Wednesday, Verma joined the United Progressive Alliance-II government as a minister of state with independent charge. His induction is viewed as part of Congress’ efforts to woo larger sections in Uttar Pradesh, which goes to polls next year.
A lawyer by profession, Verma had been a minister in Uttar Pradesh in the Janata Party government between 1977-80 and the United Front and Samajwadi Party governments in the 1990s.
