Chandra Shekhar – Prime Minister for seven months – Jayanti being celebrated in Uttar Pradesh

Chandra Shekhar was a prominent leader of socialists. He played a vital role in nationalisation of banks and ending of privy purse being given to royal families.He joined Congress in 1964. From 1962 to 1967, he was a member of the Rajya Sabha. He first entered the Lok Sabha in 1967. As a member of the Congress Party, he vehemently criticised Indira Gandhi for her activities. This led to a split in the Congress in 1975. Chandrashekhar was arrested during the emergency and sent to prison.He came to be known as a ‘young turk’ for his conviction and courage in the fight against the vested interests. The other ‘young turks’, who formed the ‘ginger group’ in the Congress in the fight for egalitarian policies, included leaders like Mohan Dharia and Ram Dhan who were also imprisoned during Emergency. Late Feroze Gandhi also used to be a part of the ‘ginger group’ during the undivided Congress days.

Prime Minister

Keeping up to his promise Chandra Shekhar’s government was efficient and well run during most of its brief tenure, which included the run-up and fighting of the Gulf War of 1990–91. In the spring of 1991, Former Prime Minister Rajeev Gandhi decided to precipitate a new election in which he would retake power.

In all he was Prime Minister for seven months and his government could not bring out a full-fledged budget because Congress withdrew support during the budgetary process.. It was during the lull between the two phases of voting that Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated, giving the Congress Party enough momentum to secure a majority.

Chandra Shekhar resigned the office of prime minister on 6 March 1991.

He established Bharat Yatra Centres in various parts of the country and set up a trust in Bhondsi village in Haryana’s Gurgaon to focus on rural development.

Jayanti being celebrated in Uttar Pradesh …for that Government has declared a public holiday… Hope Bharat Yatra centres and Bhondsi village will witness Jayanti..