Sarbananda Sonowal is a prominent Indian politician presently designated as the Minister of State for Skill Development, Entrepreneurship, Youth Affairs and Sports (Independent Charge) in the Narendra Modi led Government of India in the 16th Lok Sabha. He is a member of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) representing the Lakhimpur constituency of the Indian state Assam. Currently he also holds the position of the National Executive Member of the BJP. Previously, till January 2011, he was a member of the Indian political party Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) however later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the latter`s invitation. Sarbananda Sonowal is famed as a Firebrand and Dynamic Youth Politician. He has been conferred the title of `Jatiya Nayak of Assam` by the ASSU which is the oldest student body of Assam.

Early Life of Sarbananda Sonowal
Sarbananda Sonowal was born on 31st October 1962 in Molokgaon located in the Dibrugarh district of Assam to Late Shri Jibeswar Sonowal and Smt. Dineswari Sonowal. His educational qualifications include LL.B. and B.C.J.

Political Career of Sarbananda Sonowal
Since the year 2001 to 2004 Sarbananda Sonowal has been the member of Assam Legislative Assembly and in 2004 he was elected to the 14th Lok Sabha and served as a member of the Committee on Commerce, Consultative Committee and Ministry of Home Affairs. In 2006 he became the member of the Committee on Commerce whereas in 2007 also he was once again designated as the member of the same. Sarbananda Sonowal left the AGP political party in 2011 resigning from all the executive posts owing to the disaccord with the senior leaders of the party. The latter were attempting to forge an alliance with a party, an act which was against the scrapping of the controversial IMDT Act. According to his opinion, the party had deviated from its basic principles dishonouring the sacrifice of the martyrs. AGP was also incapable of tackling the illegal migrants? problem. Thus to focus properly on the interest of the people of Assam, he joined BJP to highlight the state issues at the national level.

Sarbananda Sonowal joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on 8th February 2011 in the presence of Nitin Gadkari, the then BJP National President, state BJP president Ranjit Dutta and senior leaders including Bijoya Chakravarty, Vijay Goel and Varun Gandhi. He got appointed in the party as a member of the BJP National Executive and subsequently became the State Spokesperson of the BJP unit.

Sarbananda Sonowal in Abolishing IMDT Act
Sarbananda Sonowal also played a key role in the abolition of IMDT Act which operates only in the state of Assam. Owing to the features of the act the expulsion of illegal immigrants from Assam became difficult which was resulting in the rapid demographic change of the state. The issue of Bangladeshi infiltration was thus taken by Sarbananda Sonowal to the Supreme Court of India. The IMDT Act was then struck down by the court. Following this the Bangladesh nationals who have crossed the border illegally into Assam do not have any legal right to remain in India and they are liable to be deported.

Other Ventures of Sarbananda Sonowal
Apart from politics, Sarbananda Sonowal is also actively involved in social ventures. He has served as the President of All Assam Students Union from 1992 to 1999 and Chairman of North East Students Organisation since 1994 to 2004. He is also a sports enthusiast, interested in Cricket, Football and Badminton.

Positions Held by Sarbananda Sonowal