Swami Prasad Maurya

Swami Prasad Maurya (born 2 January 1954) is an Indian politician and a member of the 17th Legislative Assembly of Uttar Pradesh of India. He represents the Padrauna constituency of Uttar Pradesh and is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party which he joined after a long stint with Bahujan Samaj Party. Maurya has been a Member of the legislative assembly for five terms, has been minister in the government of Uttar Pradesh, Leader of the house and Leader of opposition. He is currently serving as Cabinet Minister for Labour,Employment and Co-ordination in Yogi Adityanath ministry.His daughter Sanghmitra Maurya(MP from Budaun) was elected to Lok Sabha in 2019.

Early life and education
Maurya was born on 2 January 1954 in Chakwadh, Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh to Badlu Maurya. He is married to Shiva Maurya, with whom he has a son and a daughter. His daughter is a Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha from Budaun. He attended the Allahabad University and attained Bachelor of Laws and Master of Arts degrees.

Political career
Maurya has been a MLA for five terms. He represented the Padrauna constituency  and is a member of the Bhartiya Janta Party political party. He was previously a member of Bahujan Samaj Party and was elected in the assembly as a member of BSP. On 22 June 2016, Maurya resigned from all party posts alleging "money for ticket" syndicate being run by the party, this claim was later denied by the BSP supremo Mayawati in a press conference on the same day, where she thanked Maurya for doing courtesy on the party for leaving on his own, otherwise he was about to be expelled for promoting dynastic politics within BSP.

In July 2016, Maurya announced that the formation of his organisational unit called Loktantrik Bahujan Manch which launched at Lucknow’s Ramabai Ambedkar Rally Ground.

In March 2017, he is appointed as Cabinet Minister in Uttar Pradesh Government. He go ministries of Labour and Employment exchanges, Urban employment and Poverty alleviation in Yogi Adityanath ministry.

On 21 August 2019, After first cabinet expansion of Yogi Adityanath his ministry department changed as Minister of Labour, Employment, Co-ordination.

Personal life
Maurya converted to Buddhism from Hinduism. His daughter, Sanghmitra Maurya, was elected to Lok Sabha in 2019 General Elections.