Krishnendu Paul
Krishnendu Paul | |
|---|---|
 Paul in 2026 | |
| Cabinet Minister, Government of Assam | |
| Assumed office 9 December 2024 | |
| Chief Minister | Himanta Biswa Sarma |
| Departments |
|
| Preceded by |
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| Member, Assam Legislative Assembly | |
| Assumed office 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Monilal Gowala |
| Constituency | Patharkandi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 May 1973 Karimganj, Assam, India |
| Party | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Karimganj College |
Krishnendu Paul is an Indian politician serving as a minister in the Government of Assam. He is a member of the Assam Legislative Assembly representing the Patharkandi Assembly constituency and is affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He has represented Patharkandi since 2016 and was re-elected in 2021 and 2026.[1] Since June 2026, he has served as Assam's Minister for Public Health Engineering, Hill Areas and Barak Valley Development, and as the Guardian Minister for Cachar and Dima Hasao in the cabinet led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.[2]
Early life and education
Krishnendu Paul was born on 17 May 1973 in Karimganj, Assam, to Kripesh Ranjan Paul. He graduated from Karimganj College under Assam University, earning a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1995. Prior to entering active politics, he was engaged in business.[3]
Political career
Paul joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and was elected to the Assam Legislative Assembly from the Patharkandi constituency in the 2016 Assam Legislative Assembly election.[4]
He was re-elected from Patharkandi in the 2021 Assam Legislative Assembly election.[5]
In the 2026 Assam Legislative Assembly election, Paul was elected for a third consecutive term from Patharkandi. He defeated Indian National Congress candidate Kartik Sena Sinha by a margin of 46,764 votes, securing 98,101 votes against Sinha's 51,337 votes.[6]
Ministerial tenure
In December 2024, Paul was inducted into the Assam Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.[7][8]
Following the cabinet expansion, he was assigned the portfolios of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, and Fisheries.[9]
In June 2026, following the formation of the new Assam ministry, Paul was assigned the portfolios of Public Health Engineering, Hill Areas and Barak Valley Development. He was also appointed Guardian Minister for Cachar and Dima Hasao districts.[10][11]
Legislative initiatives
In November 2025, Paul introduced the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Assam Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Assam Legislative Assembly. The bill sought to exempt the traditional buffalo fight (Moh Juj) from the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.[12]
Electoral performance
| Election | Party | Constituency | Votes | Vote % | Margin | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Bharatiya Janata Party | Patharkandi | 46,544 | 37.94% | 9,268 | Won |
| 2021 | Bharatiya Janata Party | Patharkandi | 74,846 | 49.66% | 4,467 | Won |
| 2026 | Bharatiya Janata Party | Patharkandi | 98,101 | 64.35% | 46,764 | Won |
References
- ↑ "General Election to Assembly Constituencies: Trends & Results May 2026 – 125 Patharkandi". Election Commission of India. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
- ↑ "Kaushik Rai Gets Urban Affairs, Krishnendu Paul Gets Barak Development: Himanta 2.0". Barak Bulletin. 9 June 2026. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
- ↑ "Krishnendu Paul (Bharatiya Janata Party) – Affidavit Information". MyNeta. Retrieved 20 June 2026."Assam Legislative Assembly Member Details – Krishnendu Paul". Assam Legislative Assembly. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- ↑ "Patharkandi Assembly Election 2016 Results". IndiaVotes. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- ↑ "Members of Assam Legislative Assembly". Assam Legislative Assembly. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- ↑ "General Election to Assembly Constituencies: Trends & Results May 2026 – 125 Patharkandi". Election Commission of India. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
- ↑ "4 new ministers join Assam cabinet; Sarma to reshuffle portfolios tomorrow". The Times of India. 7 December 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- ↑ "2 first-time MLAs among 4 inducted into Assam Cabinet as Himanta highlights 'balance of experience, fresh ideas'". The Indian Express. 7 December 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- ↑ "Assam Cabinet Reshuffle, Major Portfolio Changes". Northeast Live. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- ↑ "Kaushik Rai Gets Urban Affairs, Krishnendu Paul Gets Barak Development: Himanta 2.0". Barak Bulletin. 8 June 2026. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- ↑ "Assam government announces allocation of ministerial portfolios". India Today NE. 8 June 2026. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- ↑ "Assam to exclude buffalo fight from animal cruelty law". The Pioneer. 25 November 2025. Retrieved 20 June 2026.