Indian Politician
Om Parkash Soni is an Indian politician and Former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab who belongs to the Indian National Congress. He is a member of Punjab Legislative Assembly represents Amritsar Central. He was also a Cabinet Minister in the government of Punjab and head of the School Education department.[1] He was sworn as Deputy CM on 20th Sept 2021.
Family
He was born on 3 July 1957 at village Bhilowal Pakka in Amritsar district of Punjab. His father's name is Jagat Mitter Soni. The name of his spouse is Suman Soni.[2]
Political career
Soni was elected for Punjab Legislative Assembly from Amritsar West in 1997 as an independent candidate.[3] He was re-elected in 2002 elections.[4] In 2007, he successfully contested as Congress candidate Amritsar West.[5] In 2012, he successfully contested from Amritsar Central.[6]
Soni was one of the 42 INC MLAs who submitted their resignation in protest of a decision of the Supreme Court of India ruling Punjab's termination of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) water canal unconstitutional.[7]
In March 2017, he was again elected from Amritsar Central Assembly constituency by defeating its nearest opponent Tarun Chugh of BJP with a margin of 21,116 votes. In April 2018, he was made a cabinet minister of Punjab and given the charge of School Education department.
References