Biography
Mangal Pandey was born on 9th August 1972 in Bhirgu Baliya, Maharajgunj, Siwan district, Bihar, to a farming family. He belonged to a Hindu Brahmin family and was the elder of two children, born to Awadhesh Pandey and Premlata Pandey. On 19th April 1998, he married Urmila Pandey, and they have a son named Harsh Kr. Pandey.
Mangal Pandey completed his secondary education in Maharajgunj, Siwan, in 1987, and pursued his higher secondary education in Science at Devi Dayal High School. At the age of 15, he joined the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and became a volunteer of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). By the age of 20, he became a member of the working committee of the BJP’s Siwan District Executive.
Political Career.
In 1987, when Bhartiya Janta Party was picking grounds across the country, Pandey joined Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the RSS. During this period he became involved in printing pamphlets opposing the government, staging protests and organising demonstrations. He also started going to RSS sakhas from 1988 and became a regular swayamsevak.
He joined BJP in 1989 as a primary member from Maharajgunj and was made Member of working committee, Maharajgunj. In 1992, Pandey was elected working committee member of the party’s Siwan unit, marking his entrance into full-time politics. He rose within the party, helping organise Shila pujan karyakram of Vishwa Hindu Parishad during 1988-89.
He was inducted in Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha state working committee in 1994. Within a short span of time, he was made in charge of Saran zone, BJYM in 1995.
Pandey always stood up to expectations of party leaders and this resulted in another responsibility as State Secretary, BJYM in 1997. As state secretary, he rigorously travelled across the state and was co in charge for L. K. Advani’s Swarna Jayanti Rath Yatra during 1997-98.
In 2000 he was made state president of BJYM.As, he started a campaign against the then Lalu Yadav’s government “Jawab Do Hisab Do”. Under this party workers used to ask for the expenses done by state government for funds allocated by then Vajpeyee’s government.
Failing to answer used to result in lock down of block development officers offices. This campaign was a huge success. Over 10000 BJYM karyakartas were arrested statewide.
Pandey was arrested twice, first in Chapra, then in Muzzaffarpur; This gave him massive popularity across the state and party ranks.
In 2003 he was made zonal in charge, organisation and later in 2005 he was made State General Secretary, BJP. Bihar. In 2006 under the Presidency of Shri Radha Mohan Singh he was again given the responsibility of state general secretary for second time. He continued in the office for another two terms in 2008 and in 2010.
Inter-state Politics.
After becoming the state president, Pandey tried gathering political support from the Biharis staying in different parts of the country. He frequently visits states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Karnataka and many others for political support. He made “Pravasi Bihari Prakosth” in states with significant Bihari population. It is supposed to act as a bridge between natives and immigrants of state.
Political Journey.
In 1987, at the age of 15, joined Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and became a volunteer of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). At the age of 20, took on the role of a member of the working committee of the BJP’s Siwan District Executive.
