morarji desai

## Morarji Desai: A Detailed Look at India's First Non-Congress Prime Minister
Morarji Ranchhodji Desai (29 February 1896 – 10 April 1995) was an Indian politician who served as the 4th Prime Minister of India from 1977 to 1979, leading the Janata Party coalition government. He is notable for being the first non-Congress Prime Minister of India, ending decades of Congress party dominance.
Here's a detailed exploration of his life, career, policies, and legacy:

Early Life and Education:

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Born in Bhadeli, Gujarat, British India (present-day Valsad district).
Educated at Wilson College, Bombay (Mumbai), graduating with a degree in Civil Service.

Early Career and Involvement in the Independence Movement:

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Joined the Bombay Provincial Civil Service in 1918.
Resigned in 1930 to join Mahatma Gandhi's Civil Disobedience Movement, marking his entry into the Indian independence movement.
Spent several years in British prisons for his involvement in various protests and satyagrahas.
Became a prominent leader in the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee, working closely with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Political Career in Independent India:

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Chief Minister of Bombay State (1952-1956):

* He implemented strict policies and emphasized fiscal discipline.
* Known for his tough approach to law and order, including the use of force to quell protests during the Mahagujarat Movement (demanding a separate state of Gujarat).

Union Minister under Nehru and Shastri:

* Served as Minister of Commerce and Industry (1956-1958) under Jawaharlal Nehru.
* Held the position of Finance Minister twice, under Nehru (1958-1963) and later under Indira Gandhi (1967-1969).
* As Finance Minister, he advocated for fiscal conservatism, balanced budgets, and a strong rupee. He also focused on promoting small-scale industries.

Deputy Prime Minister under Indira Gandhi (1967-1969):

* Developed serious differences with Indira Gandhi over economic policies and her increasingly centralized control.
* Eventually resigned from the government and became a vocal critic of Indira Gandhi.

The Emergency and Rise to Power:

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The declaration of Emergency in 1975 by Indira Gandhi saw Desai arrested along with numerous other opposition leaders.
This period of political repression fueled widespread discontent with the Congress government.
In 1977, after the Emergency was lifted, several opposition parties, including the Congress (O) (Desai's faction after a split in the Congress), Janata Party, Bharatiya Lok Dal, and Socialist parties, united under the banner of the Janata Party.
The Janata Party, riding on a wave of anti-Congress sentiment, secured a landslide victory in the 1977 general elections.
Morarji Desai became the Prime Minister of India at the age of 81, becoming the oldest person to hold the office.

Prime Ministership (1977-1979):

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Domestic Policies:

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Restoration of Civil Liberties:

He immediately revoked the Emergency-era restrictions, restoring press freedom and releasing political prisoners.
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Constitutional Amendments:

His government repealed some of the controversial constitutional amendments enacted during the Emergency.
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Economic Policies:

He pursued a more rural-focused and labor-intensive development model. He emphasized cottage industries and agriculture, and aimed to curb the growth of large-scale industries that he believed contributed to unemployment.
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Prohibition:

A staunch believer in prohibition, Desai made efforts to enforce it across the country, although with limited success.

Foreign Policy:

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"Genuine Non-Alignment":

He moved away from the pro-Soviet tilt that had characterized India's foreign policy under Indira Gandhi.
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Improved Relations with Pakistan and China:

He actively sought to improve relations with neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan and China. He initiated dialogue and took steps to normalize relations.
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Nuclear Policy:

He maintained India's nuclear program but declared that India would not produce nuclear weapons and would only use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

Downfall and Resignation:

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The Janata Party was a coalition of diverse political ideologies and personalities, and internal conflicts and power struggles plagued the government.
The government was weakened by factionalism and infighting among the constituent parties.
In July 1979, several members of the coalition withdrew their support, leading to a vote of no confidence.
Rather than face a defeat, Morarji Desai resigned as Prime Minister.

Later Life and Death:

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After resigning, Desai remained active in public life, advocating for his principles and beliefs.
He died on April 10, 1995, at the age of 99.

Key Achievements:

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Ending Congress Dominance:

He led the first non-Congress government in India's history.

Restoring Democracy:

He played a crucial role in restoring civil liberties and democratic institutions after the Emergency.

Improving Foreign Relations:

He made significant efforts to improve relations with Pakistan and China.

Advocating for Peaceful Nuclear Policy:

He upheld a commitment to not using nuclear technology for weapons.

Criticisms:

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Infighting within the Janata Party:

His government was criticized for its internal divisions and instability.

Inability to Deliver on Economic Promises:

His economic policies were not always successful in addressing unemployment and poverty.

Rigid Ideologies:

His inflexible adherence to principles like prohibition was seen as out of touch by some.

Legacy:

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Morarji Desai is remembered as a staunch Gandhian, a principled politician, and a champion of democracy.
He is respected for his integrity and his commitment to fiscal discipline.
His prime ministership, though short-lived, marked a significant turning point in Indian politics, ending the long period of Congress dominance and ushering in an era of coalition governments. He showed that a viable alternative to the Congress party was possible.
Despite its failures, the Janata experiment laid the groundwork for future coalition governments and a more diverse political landscape in India.

In conclusion, Morarji Desai was a complex and influential figure in Indian history. He was a product of the independence movement, a seasoned administrator, and a strong believer in his principles. His time as Prime Minister was turbulent, but he left a lasting impact on Indian politics and society.

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