Gopal Rai: A Fiery Orator Who Helped Build AAP's Base

New Delhi:

Known as a fiery orator, Gopal Rai was a former student leader who came into limelight during Anna Hazare's anti-graft movement and later played a key role in building the Aam Aadmi Party at the grassroot level after its launch in November 2012.

Mr Rai, who has been associated with AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal since his India Against Corruption (IAC) days, will be the new transport, rural development, labour, General Administration Department and employment minister of Delhi.

The 39-year-old unsuccessfully contested Assembly election from Babarpur in 2013, finishing at third position.

However, he bounced back this time and won with a margin of 35,000 votes against BJP's Naresh Gaur.

Mr Rai began his career with All India Students Association in Lucknow University in 1992. He is partially paralysed as he was shot during his student days in Lucknow, but that does not deter him from doing party work.

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He metamorphosed into a political activist and is credited to have built the party's volunteer base. He also participated in Anna Hazare's anti-graft movement, along with the AAP chief.

Like Manish Sisodia, he too joined Mr Kejriwal to form the Aam Aadmi Party. He is also a member of the Political Affairs Committee - AAP's apex decision making body.

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On December 13, 2013, the fourth day of social activist Anna Hazare's indefinite hunger strike for passage of Jan Lokpal Bill in Maharashtra's Ralegaon Siddhi, a verbal spat between former Army chief VK Singh and Gopal Rai took place, forcing the Gandhian activist to ask Mr Rai to leave the venue.