Inducted into the Manmohan Singh government Monday, Sis Ram Ola, a veteran Congress leader from Rajasthan, had also served as cabinet minister in the first UPA government, holding charge of the labour and employment ministry and then mines.
The 86-year-old leader started his political career as a legislator in 1957 and has served a record eight terms as MLA. He has also served as minister in the Rajasthan government.
Ola, who is serving his fifth term as parliamentarian, became a minister in the United Front government after he was elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time in 1996 from Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu constituency.
His induction is expected to boost the Congress prospects in Rajasthan, which will have assembly polls this year-end.
Ola who has held various positions in the state Congress, was conferred Padma Shree award for social service in 1968.
He has been a farmer and social worker.