Vishwanath Pratap Singh
Vishwanath Pratap Singh, also known as VP Singh, was an Indian politician and the 7th Prime Minister of India, serving from 1989 to 1990. He was born on June 25, 1931, in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, and passed away on November 27, 2008, in Delhi. He was a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress until he resigned from the party in 1987 and formed the Jan Morcha, which later merged with the Janata Party.
VP Singh was known for his political integrity, social justice, and his efforts to fight corruption in Indian politics. He was also known for his contributions towards the welfare of farmers, education, and the upliftment of marginalized communities. In this blog, we will take a closer look at the life, achievements, and tragedy of VP Singh.
Early Life and Education
VP Singh was born into a family of landlords in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. His father, Raja Bahadur Ram Gopal Singh, was a prominent politician and served as the Home Minister of the United Provinces in British India. VP Singh received his early education from Colvin Taluqdars’ College in Lucknow and then went on to study at Allahabad University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Arts in 1952.
VP Singh continued his studies and earned a degree in law from Lucknow University in 1955. After completing his education, he started practicing law in Allahabad and became involved in politics.
Political Career
VP Singh’s political career started when he was elected to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 1969. He was appointed as the Minister of Commerce and Industries in the state government led by Chief Minister Kamalapati Tripathi. In 1971, he was re-elected to the Assembly and was appointed as the Minister of Education.
In 1974, VP Singh was elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament, from the Fatehpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh. He was re-elected in 1977, 1980, and 1984. During his tenure in the Lok Sabha, he held various important positions, including the Minister of Commerce, Minister of Industry, and Minister of Finance.
VP Singh became popular among the masses for his efforts to curb corruption in politics. He played a key role in the arrest of a prominent politician, Charan Singh, on charges of corruption in 1975. He also opposed the imposition of the Emergency by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975 and was arrested and jailed for his activism.
In 1987, VP Singh resigned from the Indian National Congress over differences with the party leadership on the issue of corruption. He then formed the Jan Morcha, a political party dedicated to fighting corruption in politics. The Jan Morcha later merged with the Janata Party, and VP Singh became the party’s president in 1988.
Prime Minister of India
In the 1989 general elections, the Janata Party emerged as the largest party in the Lok Sabha, and VP Singh was sworn in as the 7th Prime Minister of India on December 2, 1989. His government implemented several important reforms during its short tenure, including the implementation of the Mandal Commission Report, which recommended reservations for socially and educationally backward classes in government jobs and educational institutions.
VP Singh’s government also implemented the National Front’s economic policies, which included liberalization, privatization, and globalization. He also initiated the formation of the National Development Council, which aimed to bring together the central and state governments to work towards the country’s development.
Tragedy and Later Years
VP Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister was short-lived, and he resigned from the post on November 10
