Jitu Sukhadia:Minister equipped with IIMA lessons on leadership

Born on 5 January, 1946 at Vadodara Shri Jitendra Ratilal Sukhadia is Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. He pursued Professional training in Trade Union Leadership Course of the I.I.M., Ahmedabad. He started career in 1965 as an Assistant Engineer in Alembic Chemical, Vadodara.

R.S.S. Swayamsevak since childhood he has been taking active interest and participating in the Trade Union Activities till to-date Since 1972. In 1979, at the time of flood in Morbi, he rushed immediately there and worked day and night playing an instrumental role in restoring electricity supply and water pipeline system in the town with the help of the management and the union members of Alembic Chemicals, Vadodara.

He has set up his office at Blue Diamond Complex, Fatehgunj, Vadodara, which serves as a Public Grievances Cell as well as a Public Relation Centre. Sukhadia Held various organizational positions in Jan Sangh (now known as BJP) from 1962 onwards. In 1980, at the inception of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he was the First General Secretary of Vadodara Mahanagar. From 1991 to 1996 he was the President BJP Vadodara city. He was also the Vice-President of BJP Gujarat State & the Chief-Whip of Gujarat Government in past. Sukhadia was the chairman of Gujarat Communication & Electronics Ltd. (G.C.E.L.) during 1995-1996. In 1998 to 2001 he was the Chairman of Gujarat Slum Clearance Board, Ahmedabad.

In 1996 contested the election for Lokasabha from Vadodara constituency but lost by a paper-thin margin of only 17 votes. In December 2002 he was elected as M.L.A from Sayajigunj constituency, the third largest constituency of Gujarat State. By winning subsequent election in 2007 Sukhadia retained his position.

Connected to social activities, Sukhadia has travelled to America, Canada, New Zealand and Singapore. He has hobby of tree planting, music, reading, and travelling.