C. P. Joshi is an eminent Indian political personality and was sworn in as the Minister of Panchayati Raj on May 22, 2009. Joshi is a member of Indian National Congress. He represented Bhilwara in the 15th Lok Sabha. He was the in charge of Rural Development department despite of the fact that he was the first-time member of the Lok Sabha.

C. P. Joshi was born on 29 July 1950 in Nathdwara, Rajasthan. After completing his primary education, he graduated with a B.A. in Law from M. B. College Udaipur. Later he completed his master degree in Physics and afterwards Masters and Ph.D. in Psychology. After completing his studies, Joshi took up the career of a lecturer at M. B. College, Udaipur. He also spent sometime in Mohanlal Sukhadia University of Udaipur as a Professor of Psychology. Later being inspired by Rajiv Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India, he entered the world of politics.

Joshi had some definite expertise in leadership and due to his commitments in social commitments, he was encouraged by the founder of modern Mewar, Mohan Lal Sukhadia to join politics. In the primary stage of Joshi’s political career, he was elected as the President of Student’s Union for Mohanlal Sukhadia University in 1973. Later, in 1980 and 1985, and again in 1998 and 2003, Joshi was elected MLA from Nathdwara Assembly. During his tenure as an MLA, he dealt with the issues on animal food, lack of education, road etc. It was during 1998, when Joshi was chosen to chair the position of Cabinet Minister. During this time, he was in charge of the portfolios like Rural Development, Information Technology Panchayti Raj, Public Health Engineering, Education and Policy Planning. He ushered new directions in the fields of Education, Abhiyantrik Yojna and Panchayti Raj. In the later period of his political career, Joshi was nominated the President of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee in 2003.

Joshi, being the believer of real and fair politics, was the only MLA who lost an assembly election by one vote. He is also connected to the allocation of Central Government assistance for state plans.