KellyePoindexter at 12:59, 26 March 2026

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{{short description|Indian politician}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Kailash Vijayvargiya
| image = Kailash Vijayvargiya BJP.jpg
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1956|5|13|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Indore]], [[Madhya Bharat]], [[India]]<br/>(now in [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[India]])
| residence = 880/9, Nandanagar, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
| death_date =
| death_place =
| office6 =
| president6 =
| term_start6 =
| term_end6 =
| office4 =
| constituency4 = [[Dr. Ambedkar Nagar-Mhow (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Mhow]]
| term_start4 = 2008
| term_end4 = 2018
| predecessor4 = [[Antar Singh Darbar]]
| party = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
| spouse = Asha Vijayvargiya
| children = 2 (including [[Akash Vijayvargiya]])
| website = {{Official website|kailashonline.in}}
| footnotes =
| source =
| office7 = National General Secretary<br />[[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
| successor7 =
| preceded7 =
| parents =
| country = [[India]]
| alma_mater = [[Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya]], [[Indore]]
| office8 = [[Indore Municipal Corporation|Mayor of Indore]]
| term_start8 = 2000
| term_end8 = 2005
| term_start7 = 2015
| term_end7 = 2023
| office = [[Cabinet Minister]]<br />[[Government of Madhya Pradesh|Madhya Pradesh Government]]
| 1blankname = [[List of chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh|Chief Minister]]
| 1namedata = [[Mohan Yadav]]
| 2blankname = Ministry and Departments
| 2namedata = *Urban Development & Housing
*Parliamentary Affairs
| termstart = 25 December 2023
| termend =
| predecessor = [[O. P. S. Bhadoria]]
| termstart1 = December 2004
| termend1 = 2018
| 1blankname1 = Chief Minister
| 1namedata1 = *[[Babulal Gaur]]
*[[Shivraj Singh Chouhan]]
| succeeded4 =
| office5 =
| term_start5 = 1993
| term_end5 = 2008
| constituency5 = [[Indore-2 (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Indore-2]]
| succeeded5 =
| office3 = [[Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly|Member of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly]]
| constituency3 = [[Indore-1 Assembly constituency|Indore-1]]
| termstart3 = 25 December 2023
| predecessor3 = [[Sanjay Shukla]]
| office9 = [[Indore Municipal Corporation|Corporator<br />Indore Municipal Corporation]]
| termstart9 = 1983
| termend9 = 1988
| predecessor8 = Madhukar Verma
| successor8 = Dr. Umashashi Sharma
| president7 = {{unbulleted list|[[Amit Shah]]|[[J. P. Nadda]]}}
| successor4 = [[Usha Thakur]]
| successor5 = [[Ramesh Mendola]]
| predecessor5 = Suresh Seth
| constituency6 = [[Indore-4 (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Indore-4]]
| termstart6 = 1990
| termend6 = 1993
| predecessor6 = Nandlal Mata
| successor6 = [[Laxman Singh Gaur]]
}}

'''Kailash Vijayvargiya''' (born 13 May 1956) is an Indian politician Serving as the Cabinet Minister of Madhya Pradesh ([[Bharatiya Janata Party]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bjp.org/organisation/office-bearers|title=National Office Bearers|last=Administrator|website=www.bjp.org|access-date=24 March 2016|archive-date=22 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022002728/http://www.bjp.org/organisation/office-bearers|url-status=dead}}</ref> He started his political career in the Indore [[Bharatiya Janata Party]], and was the mayor of Indore, a six-time legislator and a [[Government of Madhya Pradesh|state government]] cabinet minister for over 12 years before being elevated to the party's central leadership.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bjps-kailash-vijayvargiya-makes-friends-and-controversies-easily-1240154|title=BJP's Kailash Vijayvargiya Makes Friends and Controversies Easily|website=NDTV.com|access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref>

Kailash Vijayvargiya was made in charge of BJP's election campaign for [[Haryana]] in 2014,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/mp-minister-vijayvargiya-appointed-bjp-s-election-in-charge-for-haryana/story-EDkjlkyjNxzDSIOSKs6uBK.html|title=MP minister Vijayvargiya appointed BJP's election in-charge for Haryana|website=www.hindustantimes.com|access-date=24 March 2016|date=26 August 2014}}</ref> after which BJP gained a majority in the assembly election. This victory allowed him to gain a more central role in party leadership, and in June 2015 he was appointed national general secretary by party president [[Amit Shah]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/mp-minister-kailash-vijayvargiya-appointed-bjp-general-secretary-115061701293_1.html|title=MP minister Kailash Vijayvargiya appointed BJP general secretary|access-date=24 March 2016|newspaper=Business Standard India|date=17 June 2015}}</ref> and the new leader of the BJP in [[West Bengal]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/bjp-affairs-in-charge-siddharth-nath-singh-loses-bengal-to-kailash-vijayvargiya-gets-andhra/|title=BJP affairs in-charge: Siddharth Nath Singh loses Bengal to Kailash Vijayvargiya, gets Andhra|date=4 July 2015|website=The Indian Express|access-date=24 March 2016}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Kailash Vijayvargiya was born on 13 May 1956 to Shankardayal Vijayvargiya in [[Indore]]. He graduated with a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree and later earned an [[LLB]]. Vijayvargiya is married to Asha Vijayvargiya, with whom he has two sons, including politician [[Akash Vijayvargiya]].<ref name="Profile">{{cite web |title=耂वजयवग틽ᘂय, ꈅी कैलाश |url=http://mpvidhansabha.nic.in/14thvs/2014_209.pdf |website=mpvidhansabha |access-date=24 January 2020}}</ref> He built world's highest Octa metal statue of Hanuman in Indore.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/lord-hanuman-s-72-feet-high-octa-metal-statue-built-in-indore-119113000227_1.html | title=Lord Hanuman's 72 feet high octa-metal statue built in Indore | website=www.business-standard.com}}</ref>

== Political career ==
Kailash Vijayvargiya entered politics through [[Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad]] (ABVP) in 1975. He became a corporator of the Indore Municipal Corporation in 1983 and a member of the standing committee in 1985. He has been the state secretary of the [[Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha]] (BJYM), the BJP, and Indore, and the co-ordinator of State BJP legal cell. He became the state co-ordinator of Vidyarthi Parishad in 1985, state vice-president of the BJYM in 1992, and the national general secretary of the BJYM and the leader of Gujarat in 1993. Vijayvargiya was elected to the Vidhan Sabha in 1990, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, and 2013.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mpinfo.org/mpinfostatic/english/council/cabinetmin/kailash_Vijayvergiya.asp|title=Department Of Public Relations, Madhya Pradesh|website=www.mpinfo.org|access-date=19 December 2019|archive-date=19 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219161214/https://www.mpinfo.org/mpinfostatic/english/council/cabinetmin/kailash_Vijayvergiya.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref>

He was in charge of the BJP's Haryana state assembly election campaign in 2014, when the party registered its first win in the [[2014 Haryana Legislative Assembly election|Haryana state assembly election]], taking BJP's tally from 4 to 47 seats.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 October 2014 |title=Haryana election result: BJP wins 46 seats, gets majority |url=https://kailashonline1.blogspot.com/2024/09/The%20Inspirational%20Political%20Journey%20of%20Kailash%20Vijayvargiya.html |access-date=19 December 2019 |website=India Today}}</ref> He was named the National General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party as well as the party leader for [[West Bengal]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sengupta |first1=Tamal |title=BJP brings Kailash Vijayavargiya as in-charge for Bengal unit |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bjp-brings-kailash-vijayavargiya-as-in-charge-for-bengal-unit/articleshow/47929794.cms |access-date=30 March 2021 |work=The Economic Times |date=3 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kailash Vijayvargiya appointed observer of Bengal BJP |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/kailash-vijayvargiya-appointed-observer-of-bengal-bjp/article7387656.ece |access-date=30 March 2021 |work=The Hindu |date=5 July 2015 |language=en}}</ref>
He was included in the top 100 influential person list of India for year 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-28 |title=IE100: The list of most powerful Indians in 2021 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/express-exclusive/ie100-indias-most-powerful-2021-7248171 |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
He was considered as a game changer for BJP in West Bengal as party won 18 seats in 2019 Lok sabha election.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/elections/lok-sabha-election-results-with-18-seats-40-vote-share-bjp-trinamool-congress-pm-modi-mamata-banerjee-5745598/|title = West Bengal results: With 18 seats, 40% vote share, BJP breathes down Trinamool Congress's neck|date = 24 May 2019}}</ref>

== Mayor ==
Kailash Vijayvargiya became the first directly elected mayor of Indore Municipal Corporation in 2000. He was nominated president of the South Asia Mayors’ Council in 2003, and led the Indian Voluntary Organisation’s team at the World Earth Summit in [[Durban]].<ref name="auto"/>

He served as the Mayor of Indore after being elected in the year 2000. He assumed office at the age of 44, making him one of the youngest individuals to have held the mayoral position in the city during the era of directly elected mayors.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kailash Vijayvargiya |url=/wiki/Kailash_Vijayvargiya |access-date=5 January 2026 |website=Bharatpedia}}</ref>

In comparison, an earlier political figure from Indore, [[Narayan Prasad Shukla]], became Mayor of Indore at the age of 27, a record that places him among the youngest mayors in the city’s political history.<ref>{{cite web |title=Narayan Prasad Shukla |url=/wiki/Narayan_Prasad_Shukla |access-date=5 January 2026 |website=Bharatpedia}}</ref>

The current Mayor of Indore is [[Pushyamitra Bhargav]], who was elected in the 2022 Indore Municipal Corporation elections and assumed office at the age of 40.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pushyamitra Bhargav |url=/wiki/Pushyamitra_Bhargav |access-date=5 January 2026 |website=Bharatpedia}}</ref>

== State cabinet minister ==
Kailash Vijayvargiya was sworn in as cabinet minister in [[Government of Madhya Pradesh|Madhya Pradesh Government]] on 8 December 2008, and given portfolios of Public Works, Parliamentary Affairs, Urban Administration and Development. He was given a portfolio of Religious Trusts, Endowment, and Rehabilitation on 1 July 2004. Vijayvargiya again joined Babulal Gaur's Council of Ministers as Public Works Minister on 27 August 2004. He was re-inducted into Shivraj Singh Chouhan's Council of Ministers on 4 December 2005, as a Public Works, Information Technology, and Science & Technology Minister.<ref name="Profile"/>

In the second cabinet under [[Shivraj Singh Chouhan]] (post-2008 elections), Vijayvargiya held portfolios of IT and Industries. In the third cabinet (post-2013 elections), Vijayvargiya held the portfolio of Urban Development.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/chouhan-allocates-portfolios-gaur-gets-home/1211026/|title=Chouhan allocates portfolios, Gaur gets Home - Indian Express|website=archive.indianexpress.com|access-date=19 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/madhya-pradesh/bhopal/kailash-vijayvargiya-again-appointed-general-secretary-in-newly-announced-bjp-national-executive/articleshow/86868592.cms | title=बंगाल में हार से BJP में कम नहीं हुआ कैलाश विजयवर्गीय का कद, बने रहेंगे राष्ट्रीय महासचिव }}</ref>
He brought TCS, Infosys and more than 17 IT companies to Indore.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-01-09 |title=MoU with TCS, Infy: Minster |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/mou-with-tcs-infy-minster/articleshow/11419164.cms |access-date=2023-12-12 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
Global investor Meet in MP was one of the biggest initiatives during his tenure as an Industry Minister.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Madhya Pradesh hosts Global Investors' Summit Inauguration 2012 |url=https://kailashonline.in/blog/global-investors-summit-inauguration-day-28-10-12/ |access-date=2012-10-28 |website=Kailash Vijayvargiya |language=en}}</ref>
Involved in finalizing 259 MOUs for setting up projects worth Rs 4.31 trillion.

== Controversies ==

=== Indore water contamination incident ===
Between December 2025 and January 2026, at least 18 people died and over 2,000 residents fell ill after consuming [[Water contamination|contaminated drinking water]] in the Bhagirathpura area of [[Indore]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-01-07 |title=Toxic water: Kin of 18 dead get Rs 2 lakh compensation each; panel links 6 deaths to contamination |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/toxic-water-kin-of-18-dead-get-rs-2-lakh-compensation-each-links-6-deaths-to-contamination/articleshow/126384466.cms |access-date=2026-01-07 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> The contamination was caused by a leak in the main pipeline near a public toilet, which led to [[sewage]] mixing with the water supply. Despite multiple complaints from residents in the weeks leading up to the incident, there was no remedial action taken by the administration.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mishra |first=Anand |date=2026-01-02 |title=Indore's Water Deaths Expose the Rot Beneath the 'Cleanest City' Tag |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/newsletter/poll-vault-anand-mishra/indore-tap-water-deaths-sewage-contamination/article70463978.ece |access-date=2026-01-07 |website=Frontline |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dwary |first=Anurag |date=2 January 2026 |title='Sin, Demands Repentance': BJP's Uma Bharti On Indore Water Tragedy |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sin-demands-repentance-bjps-uma-bharti-on-indore-water-tragedy-indore-water-deaths-contamination-10198688 |access-date=7 January 2026 |work=NDTV}}</ref>

During an interaction with [[NDTV]] journalist Anurag Dwary, Vijayvargia was questioned regarding accountability and the growing public health concerns. In respone, Vijayvargia dismissed the questions as "useless" and used a derogatory term "''ghanta''" while responding to Dwary.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 January 2026 |title=Journalist takes on Kailash Vijayvargiya over Indore diarrhoea deaths, minister loses cool, later regrets |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/journalist-takes-on-kailash-vijayvargiya-over-indore-diarrhoea-deaths-minister-loses-cool-later-regrets/cid/2140564 |access-date=7 January 2026 |work=The Telegraph}}</ref> A video of the exchange was initially broadcast by NDTV and quickly went viral online. However, when the channel later removed the video from its platforms, it was criticised for failing to stand by its reporter due to the channel's perceived closeness to the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 January 2026 |title=Abhishek Banerjee slams news channel for deleting video of BJP minister Kailash Vijayvargiya abusing journalist |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/abhishek-banerjee-slams-news-channel-for-deleting-video-of-bjp-minister-kailas-vijaybangya-abusing-journalist/cid/2140607 |access-date=7 January 2026 |work=The Telegraph}}</ref> The incident renewed debate about media independence and the treatment of [[journalist]]s who question those in power.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2026-01-02 |title=No primetime debate on NDTV for Indore water contamination story, despite editor's viral moment |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2026/01/02/no-primetime-debate-on-ndtv-for-indore-water-contamination-story-despite-editors-viral-moment |access-date=2026-01-07 |website=Newslaundry |language=en}}</ref> Vijayvargia later issued a public apology for his remarks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lasania |first=Yunus |date=2026-01-01 |title=MP: BJP minister says 'ghanta' during verbal clash with journo, apologises |url=https://www.siasat.com/mp-bjp-minister-says-ghanta-during-verbal-clash-with-journo-apologises-3319368/ |access-date=2026-01-07 |website=The Siasat Daily |language=en}}</ref>

Vijayvargia was involved in further controversy after the suspension of Anand Malviya, the [[sub-divisional magistrate]] of Dewas, who had cited Vijayvargia's statement verbatim – including the derogatory term "''ghanta''" – and described Vijayvargia's remarks as "inhuman and authoritarian" in his official report.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-05 |title=Ujjain SDM who called Kailash Vijayvargiya's 'ghanta' comment 'authoritarian behaviour' suspended |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ujjain-sdm-kailash-vijayvargiyas-ghanta-comments-suspended-10456098/ |access-date=2026-01-07 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=2026-01-05 |title=Indore water contamination: Official suspended over reference to 'ghanta' row |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/madhya-pradesh/indore-water-contamination-official-suspended-over-reference-to-ghanta-row/article70473387.ece |access-date=2026-01-07 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Statesman News |date=2026-01-05 |title=SDM suspended after calling Kailash Vijayvargiya's 'Ghanta' remark on Indore deaths 'inhuman and authoritarian' |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/sdm-suspended-after-calling-kailash-vijayvargiyas-ghanta-remark-on-indore-deaths-inhuman-and-authoritarian-1503535942.html |access-date=2026-01-07 |website=The Statesman |language=en}}</ref> Malviya's suspension was viewed by many as [[retaliation]] for portraying Vijayvargia and the government in embarrasing light.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=2026-01-05 |title=Calling Minister Vijayvargiya's 'ghanta' remark as 'indecent' in an official order leads to SDM's suspension in MP |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2026/Jan/05/calling-minister-vijayvargiyas-ghanta-remark-as-indecent-in-an-official-order-leads-to-sdms-suspension-in-mp |access-date=2026-01-07 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Choudhury |first=Rabindra Nath |date=2026-01-05 |title='Ghanta' Remark Enters MP Govt Records, SDM and Typist Suspended |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/ghanta-remark-enters-mp-govt-records-sdm-and-typist-suspended-1928475 |access-date=2026-01-07 |website=www.deccanchronicle.com |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of people from Madhya Pradesh]]
* [[:Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|kailashonline.in}}

{{Bharatiya Janata Party}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vijayvargiya, Kailash}}
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Mayors of places in Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Politicians from Indore]]
[[Category:State cabinet ministers of Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Madhya Pradesh MLAs 1993–1998]]
[[Category:Madhya Pradesh MLAs 1998–2003]]
[[Category:Madhya Pradesh MLAs 2003–2008]]
[[Category:Madhya Pradesh MLAs 2008–2013]]
[[Category:Madhya Pradesh MLAs 2013–2018]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Madhya Pradesh MLAs 2023–2028]]
[[Category:Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya alumni]]

Kailash Vijayvargiya - Revision history

KellyePoindexter at 12:59, 26 March 2026