Braja Tripathy

Tripathy started his career as the convenor of the labour cell of the Socialist Party of Orissa in 1973.

Tripathy started his career as the Convenor of the Labour Cell of the Socialist party of Orissa in 1973. He then moved on to become the member of the Puri Municipal Council, the Convenor of the Labour Cell of the Janata Party then the member of the National Council of Janta Party.In 1985, Tripathy became the member of the Orissa Legislative Assembly (for three terms) and in 1990-91. That was, however, not the end to the rise and he soon became the member of the Public Accounts Committee. One thing led to the other and in 1990 he became the Chief whip of the Janata Dal in Orissa and soon after in 1991, he was elected to the 10th Lok Sabha.He was re-elected to the Lok Sabha (2nd term) and then became the Chief Whip of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Parliamentary Party, Lok Sabha 1998-99, Member, Committee on Communications Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Surface Transport 1999 Re-elected to 13th Lok Sabha (3rd term) Chief Whip, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Parliamentary Party.Year 2000 onwards Tripathy has figured as the Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of External Affairs and May 2000 onwards he has been with the Union Minister of State-Steel (Independent Charge). Besides his political involvement, Tripathy has also participated in student and youth movements and has been jailed on a number of occasions. He was detained under MISA for more than 18 months during Emergency.He has been actively involved with the co-operative movement and was elected to the management of a number of cooperative banks and worked in different fields of social reforms such as removal of untouchability, dowry system and drug abuse.