Union Minister of State George Kurian resigned from the Union Council of Ministers on June 23, 2026, following the completion of his Rajya Sabha tenure and the Bharatiya Janata Party’s decision not to renominate him to the Upper House of Parliament. President Droupadi Murmu accepted the resignation on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to an official communication from Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The resignation marks the end of Kurian’s tenure in the Union Cabinet, where he served as Minister of State for Minority Affairs and also held responsibilities in the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. His departure follows weeks of speculation after the BJP omitted his name from its list of candidates for the recent Rajya Sabha elections.
Surprise Exit After BJP Decision
Political observers noted that Kurian’s resignation became almost inevitable after the BJP declined to renominate him for another Rajya Sabha term. His six-year tenure in the Upper House concluded on June 21, leaving him without a parliamentary seat required to continue in the Union Council of Ministers.
According to reports, the veteran BJP leader was not informed in advance that he would be excluded from the party’s Rajya Sabha candidate list. The announcement reportedly came as a surprise, fueling discussions about potential changes within the Union Cabinet and the party’s broader political strategy.
A Key BJP Face from Kerala
Born in Kerala, George Kurian has been associated with the BJP since its early years and has held several important organizational positions. A lawyer by profession, he became a familiar political figure through television debates and public outreach efforts in the state. He was also known for translating speeches of senior BJP leaders into Malayalam during major political events in Kerala.
Kurian was inducted into the Modi government in 2024 and was widely viewed as an important representative of Kerala within the Union Cabinet. Political analysts often described him as one of the BJP’s key faces for outreach to Christian communities in the southern state.
Kurian Thanks Prime Minister Modi
Following the acceptance of his resignation, Kurian expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi, stating that his appointment as a Union Minister was possible because of Modi’s leadership. He said serving in the Union government had been a significant opportunity and privilege.
While stepping down from ministerial responsibilities, Kurian remains a senior BJP leader and is expected to continue playing a role in the party’s activities, particularly in Kerala. Party leaders have not yet indicated what future responsibilities he may receive.
Political Significance
Kurian’s exit has sparked discussions about a possible reshuffle within the Union government and the BJP’s strategy ahead of upcoming political contests. His resignation also highlights the importance of Rajya Sabha membership for ministers who are not members of the Lok Sabha.
Although his ministerial tenure has ended, George Kurian’s long association with the BJP and his experience in both party organization and government suggest that he is likely to remain an influential figure in Indian politics.
