Slow rise, fast fall for Pawan Kumar Bansal

NEW DELHI: Unlike the taint associated with run-of-the-mill politicians, Pawan Kumar Bansal had a certain image of "Mr Clean" and was known for being meticulous in work.

But when his nephew was arrested last week on bribery charges, the Railway Minister's reputation went for a toss and his exit from the Cabinet was only a matter of time.

Bansal, who was made to resign, hailed from nondescript town of Tapa in Punjab and his rise in political was gradual unlike the fall.

From being a mere Youth Congress member in 1976 to the coveted Union Railway Minister's post, Bansal rose by his sheer dint of hard work and determination with his legal background aiding him.

The suave and mild-mannered 64-year-old Bansal shocked many when his name cropped up in the "cash-for-posting" scam involving his nephew Vijay Singla for making top railway postings in lieu of cash.

Starting at a young age of 28 as general secretary of Chandigarh Youth Congress, Bansal's 36-year-long political career reached a pinnacle when he was the surprise choice for the coveted Railway Minister's post to which he was shifted from Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resources ministry.

He became a Rajya Sabha member at a young age of 36 and entered the Lok Sabha at 43 when he won the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat. He has since won the seat four times, losing in 1996 and 1998 polls.

Made the Minister of State for Finance in UPA-I, Bansal, known for his persuasive skills, was handed over Parliamentary Affairs Ministry portfolio also. He was elevated as a Cabinet Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resources in UPA-II.