Jagdambika Pal

Jagdambika Pal (born 21 October 1950) is an Indian politician and advocate belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He is currently serving as a member of the Lok Sabha representing the Domariyaganj constituency since 2009. Initially, he represented the Indian National Congress in the 15th Lok Sabha until his resignation on 7 March 2014, after which he joined the BJP and won subsequent elections.

He served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh for the shortest tenure (just over 24 hours) in February 1998. In August 2024, he was appointed as the Chairperson of the high-profile Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

Early life and education Jagdambika Pal was born on 21 October 1950 in Bharvaliya village, Basti district, Uttar Pradesh to Late Shri Surya Bux Pal and Late Smt Moolraji Devi. However, Kalyan Singh immediately challenged the dismissal in the Allahabad High Court. The court deemed the Governor's decision unconstitutional on 23 February 1998 and ordered a floor-test, reinstating the Kalyan Singh government and ending Pal's 24-hour tenure.

Parliamentary committees and Waqf JPC Pal has chaired several parliamentary panels, including the Standing Committee on Energy and the Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs. On 13 August 2024, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla appointed Jagdambika Pal as the Chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to examine the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, conducting public hearings across the nation.

Positions held 1982–1993: Member, Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council (two terms) 1988–1999: Minister of State, Government of Uttar Pradesh 1993–2007: Member, Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly (three terms from Basti constituency) 1998: Chief Minister, Government of Uttar Pradesh (shortest tenure) 2002: Cabinet Minister, Government of Uttar Pradesh 2003–2004: President, Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) 2009: Elected to 15th Lok Sabha from Domariyaganj (INC) Chairman, Committee on Public Undertakings (2011–2014) Member, Committee on Energy, Petitions, and MPLADs 2014: Re-elected to 16th Lok Sabha from Domariyaganj (BJP) Member, Standing Committee on Energy 2019: Re-elected to 17th Lok Sabha from Domariyaganj (BJP) Chairperson, Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs (2019–2022) Chairperson, Standing Committee on Energy (2022–2024) 2024: Re-elected to 18th Lok Sabha from Domariyaganj (BJP) Chairperson, Joint Committee on The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (Assumed 13 August 2024) Member, Committee on Public Accounts, Energy, and Science & Technology