Rajeev Shukla wears several hats. He is known for his roles as a Rajya Sabha member, Vice-President of the BCCI, and a key member of the Congress working committee. He has been a former Union minister as well as the former chairman of IPL. But beyond his political and administrative positions, Shukla is “everyone’s friend”, bridging gaps between rival factions and navigating the complexities of Indian politics with ease. His reputation as “man Friday” speaks volumes about his influence in different worlds.
Despite the BCCI being predominantly BJP-controlled, Shukla has maintained his influential position as its Vice-President. His wife Anurradha Prasad’s father Thakur Prasad was a well-known lawyer and a leader of the Jan Sangh. Her brother Ravi Shankar Prasad is a BJP spokesperson and served as a minister under both Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi.
A journalist-turned-politician, Shukla, 64, was the IPL commissioner from 2011 to 2017. In 2020, he was elected the BCCI Vice-president unopposed. He has been man for all seasons. From Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, Shashank Manohar, N Srinivasan, Anurag Thakur, and now Union Home minister Amit Shah’s son Jay Shah, everyone has made space for the Congress leader.
Shukla’s talent to gauge political and business landscapes, coupled with his knack for networking, positions him as a sought-after figure in high-profile circles. His sharp memory, affinity for gossip, and innate political acumen make him a valuable connector across politics, business, cricket, and entertainment.
When his friends from any of these realms require access to another, Shukla is the link. He loves to be friends with the famous and the powerful. His ability to instantly comprehend who needs what comes handy.
“My job is only to solve problems,” he told India Today in an old interview. “Maintaining relations takes time, attention and a lot of running around. It takes money and energy. You need to believe it can be done. It’s impossible to keep everyone happy, but it’s in your hands to make most people feel content,” he added.
“I can’t count my friends. I have a long, long list,” he said. “It’s easier to count my enemies, and to work towards bringing them into the friends’ column. Fighting is for children. I’d rather be a yaaron ka yaar.”
Rajeev Shukla’s career has spanned both journalism and politics. Starting as the Lucknow bureau chief for Dainik Jagran, he covered the UP Assembly extensively before moving to Delhi in 1983 as a reporter for Ravivar magazine. His investigative reporting skills were evident in stories such as exposing how then Finance Minister VP Singh circumvented land laws by transferring property to associates. He later became political editor at ABP Group’s Sunday magazine and eventually the editor of the Ambani-promoted Sunday Observer.
In 2000, he made a spectacular entry into politics, winning a Rajya Sabha seat under the Loktantrik Congress Party, a regional outfit of Uttar Pradesh.
With a deep-rooted connection to Rajiv Gandhi from his reporting days in the late ’80s, Shukla formally joined the Congress in 2002.
“In 2002, nobody believed the Congress would come to power. Because of my relationship with Rajiv Gandhi, I felt that I have to join Congress at this difficult time,” he says.
He took charge as IPL chairman in 2011 during challenging times for the league. Despite facing sponsorship declines, dipping TRPs and financial challenges for franchise owners, Shukla sailed through like a pro. He helped secure Rs 396 crore deal with Pepsi and expanded IPL’s global viewership to 100 million across 192 countries, showcasing his ability as a troubleshooter rather than just a manager.
