{ "id": "epy7cvqarf", "slug": "ramji-lal-suman", "title": "Ramji Lal Suman", "updated": "2026-10-15", "topic_path": [ { "id": "society", "label": "Society and history", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society" }, { "id": "society.politics", "label": "Politics and government", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions", "label": "Government and public administration", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders", "label": "Politicians and government officeholders (biographies)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.north-indian-politicians", "label": "North Indian politicians", "api_url": 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"society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.north-indian-politicians.uttar-pradesh-politicians.legislators-and-party-leaders", "markdown": "# Ramji Lal Suman\n\nRamji Lal Suman (born 1950) is an Indian politician and a member of the [Samajwadi Party](https://www.edgepedia.org/samajwadi-party), serving as a Member of the [Rajya Sabha](https://www.edgepedia.org/rajya-sabha) from [Uttar Pradesh](https://www.edgepedia.org/uttar-pradesh).[1](https://sansad.in/rs/members/biography/2615) • [2](https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/samajwadi-party-rajya-sabha-member-ramji-lal-suman-political-history-special-story-ann-2643176) He was elected to the Lok Sabha four times from Firozabad, in 1977, 1989, 1999, and 2004, and served as a Union Minister of State in 1991.[2](https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/samajwadi-party-rajya-sabha-member-ramji-lal-suman-political-history-special-story-ann-2643176) • [3](https://www.etvbharat.com/hi/!state/lok-sabha-election-2024-political-journey-of-ramjilal-suman-reached-rajya-sabha-ups24022801280)\n\n| Fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Party | Samajwadi Party[2](https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/samajwadi-party-rajya-sabha-member-ramji-lal-suman-political-history-special-story-ann-2643176) |\n| Current office | Member of the Rajya Sabha (Uttar Pradesh), term 2024 to 2030[1](https://sansad.in/rs/members/biography/2615) |\n| Previous offices | Member of Lok Sabha, Firozabad (elected 1977, 1989, 1999, 2004); Union Minister of State (Labour Welfare, Women Welfare, and Child Development), 1991; National General Secretary, Samajwadi Party, 1996[2](https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/samajwadi-party-rajya-sabha-member-ramji-lal-suman-political-history-special-story-ann-2643176) • [3](https://www.etvbharat.com/hi/!state/lok-sabha-election-2024-political-journey-of-ramjilal-suman-reached-rajya-sabha-ups24022801280) |\n| Born | 1950, Bahdoi village, Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh[2](https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/samajwadi-party-rajya-sabha-member-ramji-lal-suman-political-history-special-story-ann-2643176) |\n| Education | B.A., LL.B., Agra University, Agra[4](https://sansad.in/ls/members/biography/475?from=members) |\n\n## Party affiliation\n\nSuman began his political career with the [Janata Party](https://www.edgepedia.org/janata-party), which fielded him from Firozabad in 1977.[2](https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/samajwadi-party-rajya-sabha-member-ramji-lal-suman-political-history-special-story-ann-2643176) He later joined the [Janata Dal](https://www.edgepedia.org/janata-dal), on whose ticket he won the Firozabad seat in 1989.[2](https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/samajwadi-party-rajya-sabha-member-ramji-lal-suman-political-history-special-story-ann-2643176) After the Samajwadi Party was founded in 1992, he joined it and has remained with the party since.[2](https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/samajwadi-party-rajya-sabha-member-ramji-lal-suman-political-history-special-story-ann-2643176)\n\n## Early life and education\n\nSuman was born in 1950 in Bahdoi village in Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh.[2](https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/samajwadi-party-rajya-sabha-member-ramji-lal-suman-political-history-special-story-ann-2643176) He received his primary education in his village and his secondary education in Hathras, and studied at Agra College in Agra.[2](https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/samajwadi-party-rajya-sabha-member-ramji-lal-suman-political-history-special-story-ann-2643176) He was active in student politics. According to news reports, he led a large movement in Hathras in 1971 following the killing of two students of MG Polytechnic, Ravendra and Banti, and the movement gave his political career its early momentum.[3](https://www.etvbharat.com/hi/!state/lok-sabha-election-2024-political-journey-of-ramjilal-suman-reached-rajya-sabha-ups24022801280) While studying law, he was not permitted to continue his college studies, after which he entered active politics.[2](https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/samajwadi-party-rajya-sabha-member-ramji-lal-suman-political-history-special-story-ann-2643176)\n\n## Career\n\nSuman was first elected to the [Lok Sabha](https://www.edgepedia.org/lok-sabha) from Firozabad in 1977, at the age of 26, as the Janata Party candidate after the Emergency.[2](https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/samajwadi-party-rajya-sabha-member-ramji-lal-suman-political-history-special-story-ann-2643176) After becoming a member of Parliament, he completed his remaining law semesters at Agra College.[2](https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/samajwadi-party-rajya-sabha-member-ramji-lal-suman-political-history-special-story-ann-2643176) He won Firozabad again in 1989 on the Janata Dal ticket.[2](https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/samajwadi-party-rajya-sabha-member-ramji-lal-suman-political-history-special-story-ann-2643176) In 1991, he became a Union Minister of State holding the portfolios of Labour Welfare, Women Welfare, and Child Development in the government of Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar.[2](https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/samajwadi-party-rajya-sabha-member-ramji-lal-suman-political-history-special-story-ann-2643176) • [3](https://www.etvbharat.com/hi/!state/lok-sabha-election-2024-political-journey-of-ramjilal-suman-reached-rajya-sabha-ups24022801280) He joined the Samajwadi Party after its formation in 1992, and party leader [Mulayam Singh Yadav](https://www.edgepedia.org/mulayam-singh-yadav) appointed him the party's National General Secretary in 1996.[2](https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/samajwadi-party-rajya-sabha-member-ramji-lal-suman-political-history-special-story-ann-2643176) He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Firozabad on the Samajwadi Party ticket in 1999 and again in 2004, serving in the 13th and 14th Lok Sabha.[2](https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/samajwadi-party-rajya-sabha-member-ramji-lal-suman-political-history-special-story-ann-2643176) • [4](https://sansad.in/ls/members/biography/475?from=members) In 2024, the Samajwadi Party sent him to the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh for a term running to 2030.[1](https://sansad.in/rs/members/biography/2615) • [3](https://www.etvbharat.com/hi/!state/lok-sabha-election-2024-political-journey-of-ramjilal-suman-reached-rajya-sabha-ups24022801280) After his election, he told the media that Parliament was not new to him, that he knew parliamentary conventions well, and that he would raise matters connected to the general public in the Rajya Sabha and work for their resolution.[3](https://www.etvbharat.com/hi/!state/lok-sabha-election-2024-political-journey-of-ramjilal-suman-reached-rajya-sabha-ups24022801280)\n\n## Electoral history\n\n- 1977 Lok Sabha election, Firozabad: elected as the Janata Party candidate at age 26.[2](https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/samajwadi-party-rajya-sabha-member-ramji-lal-suman-political-history-special-story-ann-2643176)\n- 1989 Lok Sabha election, Firozabad: elected on the Janata Dal ticket.[2](https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/samajwadi-party-rajya-sabha-member-ramji-lal-suman-political-history-special-story-ann-2643176)\n- 1999 Lok Sabha election, Firozabad: elected on the Samajwadi Party ticket.[2](https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/samajwadi-party-rajya-sabha-member-ramji-lal-suman-political-history-special-story-ann-2643176)\n- 2004 Lok Sabha election, Firozabad: elected on the Samajwadi Party ticket.[2](https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/samajwadi-party-rajya-sabha-member-ramji-lal-suman-political-history-special-story-ann-2643176)\n- 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Hathras: contested on the Samajwadi Party ticket and lost both times.[3](https://www.etvbharat.com/hi/!state/lok-sabha-election-2024-political-journey-of-ramjilal-suman-reached-rajya-sabha-ups24022801280)\n\n## Issues specific to Suman\n\nIn February 2024, the Samajwadi Party named Suman its candidate for the Rajya Sabha election after its alliance with the [Rashtriya Lok Dal](https://www.edgepedia.org/rashtriya-lok-dal) ended. News reports described the choice as an effort by the party to reach Scheduled Caste voters in the Agra, Firozabad, Hathras, and Aligarh regions.[5](https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/agra-city-samajwadi-chief-akhilesh-yadav-candidate-rajya-sabha-ram-ji-lal-suman-know-about-potical-career-23652014.html) In September 2026, responding to Rashtriya Lok Dal leader [Jayant Chaudhary](https://www.edgepedia.org/jayant-chaudhary)'s remark that he was in the government and could not take to the streets over public issues, Suman said that when the time comes, Chaudhary would himself feel that his decision was wrong.[6](https://www.etvbharat.com/hi/state/sp-mp-ramji-lal-sumans-advice-to-jayant-chaudhary-ups26092407158) Also in September 2026, responding to a statement by Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister [Om Prakash Rajbhar](https://www.edgepedia.org/om-prakash-rajbhar) about dividing Uttar Pradesh, Suman said that demands for the formation of separate states have arisen from time to time across India, and that in his view the only solution is to establish a States Reorganization Commission, which would determine where a new state is needed and where it is not, after which the government could decide.[7](https://www.patrika.com/lucknow-news/sp-mp-ramji-lal-suman-slams-om-prakash-rajbhar-20926341)\n\n## Positions and voting record\n\n### Alliance politics\n\nAt a press conference at the Samajwadi Party's district office in [Bulandshahr](https://www.edgepedia.org/bulandshahr) in September 2026, Suman said that an alliance between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly election was a demand of the time, and that the two parties would contest the election together. He said the final decision on the alliance would be taken at the level of Congress president [Mallikarjun Kharge](https://www.edgepedia.org/mallikarjun-kharge), Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Samajwadi Party president [Akhilesh Yadav](https://www.edgepedia.org/akhilesh-yadav). On a possible alliance with Asaduddin Owaisi, he said that if Owaisi wanted an alliance, he should send a written proposal, which the party would consider, and that such talks should take place through a formal proposal rather than in the media.[8](https://www.livehindustan.com/national/story-samajwadi-party-s-ramjeewal-suman-discusses-2027-election-strategy-201790169147832.html)\n\n### Election Commission and voter lists\n\nAt the same press conference, Suman raised questions about the Election Commission's working on the special intensive revision of voter lists, saying the commission was not functioning impartially and was working as an arm of the BJP, and questioned the amendments and process connected to the voter rolls.[8](https://www.livehindustan.com/national/story-samajwadi-party-s-ramjeewal-suman-discusses-2027-election-strategy-201790169147832.html) In Bagpat the same month, he cited the elections in Bihar and [West Bengal](https://www.edgepedia.org/west-bengal) in questioning the fairness of the electoral process.[6](https://www.etvbharat.com/hi/state/sp-mp-ramji-lal-sumans-advice-to-jayant-chaudhary-ups26092407158)\n\n### Social issues in Parliament\n\nIn the Rajya Sabha, Suman has raised matters concerning caste discrimination and the legacy of B.R. Ambedkar: on February 12, 2026, he raised concern over caste-based discrimination at anganwadi centers and public institutions, and on February 13, 2026, he raised concern over protests against the installation of statues of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in various parts of the country.[9](https://prsindia.org/mptrack/rajya-sabha/ramji-lal-suman) On March 11, 2026, he raised the need to include the study of the Constitution in the school curriculum, and on April 2, 2026, he raised the need to hand over the management of the [Mahabodhi Temple](https://www.edgepedia.org/mahabodhi-temple) at Bodh Gaya to Buddhist monks.[9](https://prsindia.org/mptrack/rajya-sabha/ramji-lal-suman)\n\n### Legislative record\n\nAccording to PRS Legislative Research, in his Rajya Sabha service Suman has an attendance record of 99% (national average 80%), has taken part in 30 debates (national average 65.6), has asked 203 questions (national average 143.8), and has introduced 0 private member's bills (national average 0.8).[9](https://prsindia.org/mptrack/rajya-sabha/ramji-lal-suman) His debates include the general discussion on the Union Budget, 2026-27 (February 11, 2026), the discussion on the working of the Ministry of Rural Development (March 10, 2026), the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): VB - G RAM G Bill, 2025 (December 18, 2025), and the Appropriation Bill, 2026 (March 16, 2026).[9](https://prsindia.org/mptrack/rajya-sabha/ramji-lal-suman) In general, very few bills in India's Parliament see a recorded vote; most are passed by voice vote, so it is generally not known how each member voted or who was present, and every member is required to vote according to the party whip, failing which they could lose their seat.[10](https://prsindia.org/articles-by-prs-team/recording-each-vote)\n\n## References\n\n1. [Ramji Lal Suman, Rajya Sabha member biography](https://sansad.in/rs/members/biography/2615)\n2. [Samajwadi Party Rajya Sabha Member Ramji Lal Suman Political History, ABP Live](https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/samajwadi-party-rajya-sabha-member-ramji-lal-suman-political-history-special-story-ann-2643176)\n3. [Lok Sabha Election 2024: Political journey of Ramjilal Suman, ETV Bharat](https://www.etvbharat.com/hi/!state/lok-sabha-election-2024-political-journey-of-ramjilal-suman-reached-rajya-sabha-ups24022801280)\n4. [Ramji Lal Suman, Lok Sabha member biography](https://sansad.in/ls/members/biography/475?from=members)\n5. [Who is Ramji Lal Suman, Samajwadi Party Rajya Sabha candidate, Dainik Jagran](https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/agra-city-samajwadi-chief-akhilesh-yadav-candidate-rajya-sabha-ram-ji-lal-suman-know-about-potical-career-23652014.html)\n6. [Ramji Lal Suman's advice to Jayant Chaudhary, ETV Bharat](https://www.etvbharat.com/hi/state/sp-mp-ramji-lal-sumans-advice-to-jayant-chaudhary-ups26092407158)\n7. [Ramji Lal Suman's response to Om Prakash Rajbhar, Patrika](https://www.patrika.com/lucknow-news/sp-mp-ramji-lal-suman-slams-om-prakash-rajbhar-20926341)\n8. [Samajwadi Party and Congress should contest elections together: Ramji Lal Suman, Live Hindustan](https://www.livehindustan.com/national/story-samajwadi-party-s-ramjeewal-suman-discusses-2027-election-strategy-201790169147832.html)\n9. [Ramji Lal Suman, PRS Legislative Research MP track](https://prsindia.org/mptrack/rajya-sabha/ramji-lal-suman)\n10. [Recording each vote, PRS Legislative Research](https://prsindia.org/articles-by-prs-team/recording-each-vote)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Society and history › Politics and government › Government and public administration › Politicians and government officeholders (biographies) › North Indian politicians › Uttar Pradesh politicians › Legislators and party leaders*\n\n*Initially written Sep 27, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 29, 2026 · Edited: Sep 29, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026 · Last review: Sep 29, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/ramji-lal-suman", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/ramji-lal-suman.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Ramji Lal Suman\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/ramji-lal-suman. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Ramji Lal Suman](https://www.edgepedia.org/ramji-lal-suman)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/ramji-lal-suman](https://www.edgepedia.org/ramji-lal-suman). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Ramji Lal Suman\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/ramji-lal-suman. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Ramji Lal Suman is an Indian Samajwadi Party politician serving as a Rajya Sabha member from Uttar Pradesh, elected four times to the Lok Sabha from Firozabad." }