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India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"True people leader, tireless champion": Rahul Gandhi pays homage to K Kamraj on his birth anniversary
New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday paid homage to freedom fighter and Congress leader K Kamraj on his birth anniversary, calling him a 'true people's leader and tireless champion' In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said, 'Remembering Bharat Ratna and former AICC President Thiru K. Kamaraj on his birth anniversary. A true people's leader and tireless champion of the marginalised, whose integrity, humility, and service continue to inspire generations.' Earlier in the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid homage to K Kamraj on his birth anniversary and said that his noble ideals and emphasis on social justice inspire us all greatly. Taking to X, PM Modi said, 'Paying homage to Thiru K. Kamaraj Ji on his birth anniversary. He was at the forefront of India's freedom struggle and provided invaluable leadership in the formative years of our journey after Independence. His noble ideals and emphasis on social justice inspire us all greatly.' Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tribute to K Kamraj, calling him 'a true son of India.' 'Today, we pay our sincere homage to K. Kamarajar, a true son of India, revered by the people of Tamil Nadu for his pioneering social welfare initiatives,' Kharge wrote on X. Kamaraj was elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly in 1937, unopposed. He was again elected to it in 1946. He was also elected to the Constituent Assembly of India in 1946 and later to Parliament in 1952. He became the Chief Minister of Madras in 1954. In 1963, he suggested to Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, that senior Congress leaders should leave ministerial posts to take up organisational work. This suggestion came to be known as the 'Kamaraj Plan'. He was honoured posthumously with India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1976. (ANI)
India Gazette
5 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
PM Modi pays homage to K Kamraj on his birth anniversary, says
New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid homage to freedom fighter and Congress leader K Kamraj on his birth anniversary and said that his noble ideals and emphasis on social justice inspire us all greatly. Taking to X, PM Modi said, 'Paying homage to Thiru K. Kamaraj Ji on his birth anniversary. He was at the forefront of India's freedom struggle and provided invaluable leadership in the formative years of our journey after Independence. His noble ideals and emphasis on social justice inspire us all greatly.' Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tribute to K Kamraj, calling him 'a true son of India.' 'Today, we pay our sincere homage to K. Kamarajar, a true son of India, revered by the people of Tamil Nadu for his pioneering social welfare initiatives,' Kharge wrote on X. Highlighting Kamraj's active role in the freedom struggle and his 'transformative impact' in nation building after independence, Kharge said, 'One of the Independence movement's towering figures, a Former Congress President, and a recipient of the Bharat Ratna, Kamarajar was a tireless champion of social justice. His visionary Mid Day Meal scheme stood as a powerful catalyst, breaking down barriers and bringing education within reach for the disadvantaged.' Kumaraswami Kamaraj was born humble and poor in a backward area of Tamil Nadu on July 15, 1903. His schooling lasted only six years. At the age of twelve, he was already working as a shop assistant. He was barely fifteen when he heard of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which was the turning point in his life. Kamaraj was elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly in 1937, unopposed. He was again elected to it in 1946. He was also elected to the Constituent Assembly of India in 1946 and later to Parliament in 1952. He became the Chief Minister of Madras in 1954. In 1963, he suggested to Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, that senior Congress leaders should leave ministerial posts to take up organisational work. This suggestion came to be known as the 'Kamaraj Plan'. He was honoured posthumously with India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1976. (ANI)
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
PM Modi pays homage to K Kamraj on his birth anniversary, says "his ideals on social justice inspire us greatly"
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid homage to freedom fighter and Congress leader K Kamraj on his birth anniversary and said that his noble ideals and emphasis on social justice inspire us all greatly. Taking to X, PM Modi said, "Paying homage to Thiru K. Kamaraj Ji on his birth anniversary. He was at the forefront of India's freedom struggle and provided invaluable leadership in the formative years of our journey after Independence. His noble ideals and emphasis on social justice inspire us all greatly." Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tribute to K Kamraj, calling him "a true son of India." "Today, we pay our sincere homage to K. Kamarajar, a true son of India, revered by the people of Tamil Nadu for his pioneering social welfare initiatives," Kharge wrote on X. Live Events Highlighting Kamraj's active role in the freedom struggle and his "transformative impact" in nation building after independence, Kharge said, "One of the Independence movement's towering figures, a Former Congress President, and a recipient of the Bharat Ratna, Kamarajar was a tireless champion of social justice. His visionary Mid Day Meal scheme stood as a powerful catalyst, breaking down barriers and bringing education within reach for the disadvantaged." Kumaraswami Kamaraj was born humble and poor in a backward area of Tamil Nadu on July 15, 1903. His schooling lasted only six years. At the age of twelve, he was already working as a shop assistant. He was barely fifteen when he heard of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which was the turning point in his life. Kamaraj was elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly in 1937, unopposed. He was again elected to it in 1946. He was also elected to the Constituent Assembly of India in 1946 and later to Parliament in 1952. He became the Chief Minister of Madras in 1954. In 1963, he suggested to Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, that senior Congress leaders should leave ministerial posts to take up organisational work. This suggestion came to be known as the ' Kamaraj Plan '. He was honoured posthumously with India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1976.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
BrahMos testing facility in Lucknow will strengthen India's self-reliance: Rajnath Singh
Lucknow, Jul 13 (PTI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said the newly inaugurated integration and testing facility of BrahMos Aerospace in Lucknow will strengthen the country's self-reliance in the defence sector. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addresses an event on the birth anniversary of former Uttar Pradesh CM Chandrabhanu Gupta, in Lucknow on Sunday, July 13, 2025.(PTI) Singh said this at an event in Lucknow where he unveiled the statue of former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Chandra Bhanu Gupta at the National PG College and released a postage stamp. "Just a few days ago, I inaugurated the integration and testing facility of BrahMos Aerospace in Lucknow. This facility will strengthen our country's self-reliance in the defence sector and also create employment," he said. He praised the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh due to which investments are increasing and industries are flourishing in the state. "Historical changes are taking place in infrastructure. Expressway, airport, metro, medical college - all these are presenting a new picture of development," the defence minister said. Singh, who is the Lok Sabha MP from Lucknow, also showered praises on former UP CM Chandra Bhanu Gupta. Gupta served as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh for four terms. Singh said, "Chandra Bhanu Gupta ji started as a simple worker in the freedom movement and made a place in the hearts of millions of people through his sacrifice, commitment and leadership. Chandra Bhanu Gupta's life tells us that power does not mean only position or authority, but responsibility, sacrifice and protecting the interests of the public. "His life also gives us the message that there may be differences in politics but there should not be animosity," he said. Singh also said that Gupta was more of a public servant than a leader. "He was not just the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh on multiple occasions, but he was among the leaders who emerged from the Indian freedom struggle," Singh said. Singh, who is also the former UP CM, said, "Whenever we discuss the glorious past of Uttar Pradesh, the name of Chandra Bhanu Gupta ji is taken prominently. Today, when we are releasing this postage stamp, it is not only a tribute to the name of Chandra Bhanu Gupta ji, it is also a tribute to his high life values." "The administrative system that is working in the country and the state today, people like Chandra Bhanu Gupta ji have contributed a lot in laying its foundation," Singh said. The defence minister also said while Gupta was the CM of a big state like Uttar Pradesh, his vision and agenda was never regional, always nationalistic. "Chandra Bhanu ji was not in power for a very long (time). But in the short time he was in power, he gave priority to public welfare works. He was always known for his integrity." Singh said while Gupta did not agree with the 'Kamaraj Plan' he resigned from the CM post due to it. "You can imagine how an elected leader had to step down from the post due to the dislike of some people," Singh said. In 1963 K Kamaraj (former Chief Minister of Madras) suggested to Nehru that senior Congress leaders should leave ministerial posts to take up organisational work. This suggestion came to be known as the 'Kamaraj Plan', which was designed primarily to dispel the notion that Congressmen were attached to power, creating in its place a dedicated attachment to the objectives and policies of the organisation. The plan was approved by the Congress Working Committee and was implemented within two months. Six chief ministers and six Union ministers resigned under the plan. Kamaraj was later elected president of the Indian National Congress on October 9, 1963.
India Today
09-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
The Silent Ascent: How Lal Bahadur Shastri became India's Prime Minister
In 1964, India faced uncertainty as Jawaharlal Nehru's health faltered, sparking a fierce succession battle. Lal Bahadur Shastri, a humble yet astute leader, faced a formidable challenge from Morarji Desai and other Congress factions. Helped by the Congress syndicate's intricate politics, with Kamaraj's strategic backing, Shastri's calculated silence and widespread support outshone rivals. This is how the drama unfolded over a period of seven days, leading to Shastri's election as India's second Prime On January 8, 1964, on the opening day of the Congress session at Bhubaneswar, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru suffered a serious stroke affecting his left was showing signs of decline since 1962; his health and spirit had wilted after the 1962 war. But after the stroke in January, India held its breath, and the pace quickened in the struggle for the succession. 'After Nehru, who?' The question began to reverberate through the portals of power in India. The New York Times echoed global fears: 'After Nehru—what?' The question of Nehru's successor was complicated. In 1963, the Kamaraj Plan piloted by Kumarawami Kamaraj, the austere, bachelor chief minister of Tamil Nadu, had purged the Congress of its stalwarts. In accordance with the plan, Nehru's number two in the Cabinet, the ambitious right-wing leader Morarji Desai, five other cabinet colleagues and six chief ministers, resigned from their government posts. They were tasked with strengthening the party organisation. Nehru himself offered to resign but Kamaraj threatened to withdraw the plan if the prime minister didn't agree to continue in office. Among the Cabinet ministers who resigned was Lal Bahadur Shastri, the diminutive leader from Uttar Pradesh, widely seen as Nehru's poor health precipitated a crisis of governance. To handle the day-to-day affairs, Shastri was brought back into the Cabinet as a minister without portfolio. Political pundits and the Indian media saw this as a clear sign that Shastri was next in there was a problem: Desai saw himself as the legitimate heir. And his ambition was burning with ferocity, waiting for the right 27, 1964: The Drama BeginsAt 2:00 PM, the news broke: Nehru had succumbed to his illness. As millions gathered in New Delhi for the funeral, India's future hung in the 4 PM, President S Radhakrishnan swore in Gulzarilal Nanda, the Home Minister, as the interim Prime Minister. But with a condition: the Congress will have to come back with a leader elected by the least three serious claimants to the PM's post emerged immediately – Desai, Dalit leader Jagjivan Ram, and Nanda. Some speculated that the mantle would be passed on to Nehru's daughter, Indira Gandhi. But she remained silent through the succession the public claims of other leaders, Shastri maintained a low profile. Many pundits noticed that Shastri was almost withdrawn and aloof when the question of Nehru's successor was being debated. But Shastri's silence was a calculated ploy: he knew that expressing a desire for power was the fastest way of incurring the wrath of the public, and the animus of rivals. He also knew that behind the scenes the Kingmaker was silently at work, clearing the path for a succession without Kingmaker Steps InadvertisementAfter resigning from the Tamil Nadu chief ministership in 1963, Kamaraj became president of the Congress. With West Bengal's Amulya Ghosh, Maharashtra's SK Chavan, and southern stalwarts S Nijalingappa and N Sanjeeva Reddy, he formed what came to be known as the Congress syndicate. This coterie wielded maximum power in the Congress, and its members were determined to avoid an open power choose Nehru's successor, Kamaraj suggested the pursuit of consensus. For this, he suggested a meeting of the Congress Working Committee, followed by consultations with chief ministers of Congress-led states, and a meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party, comprising members of both houses. This was a plan to stymie Desai, who believed that the leader would be elected through a secret ballot by Congress bid for power, meanwhile, was harmed by a major development. Jagjivan Ram, who was supposed to be in his camp, suddenly threw his hat into the ring, taking away a large group of potential supporters who could have backed Desai in a contested election. By the time the party's key decision-making body met to discuss Nehru's successor, Desai was not confident about his majority in the 573-member Parliamentary 31, 1964: Morarji TrumpedOn a humid morning, 42 members of the Congress met in Delhi to decide Nehru's successor. After a long and lengthy discussion, where everyone except Indira Gandhi spoke, the party decided to elect the new leader through consensus, avoiding a secret ballot. The task of finding the unanimous leader was left to Kamaraj, through consultation with all the stakeholders. No names were mentioned in the meeting, but the decision was seen as a nod to Shastri, with most newspaper headlines predicting 'Shastri All But Prime Minister.'When asked about their prospects after the meeting, only Nanda seemed still sanguine about his chances: 'The meeting gave a general direction, not the final outcome,' he said. Nanda, who had publicly declared himself out of the race, was secretly hoping the status-quo to continue, and run the government as long as possible as its interim leader. But President Radhakrishnan had given the Congress clear instructions to elect a leader within a the next two days, in accordance with the power vested in him, Kamaraj met hundreds of Congress leaders—chief ministers, ordinary workers, Members of Parliament, and Legislative next day, Kamaraj conveyed his findings to the top leaders of the 2, 1964: The New PMThe central hall of Parliament was buzzing with excitement. By 9 AM, every seat was full, and the press was waiting outside. Kamaraj began the proceedings as the head of the party and started with a tribute to Nehru. He then spoke about his parleys with stakeholders and how Congress had led by example with a unanimous then passed on the mic to the caretaker PM, Nanda, who proposed the name of Shastri as the leader, elected unanimously, seconded by Desai, ending the seven-day suspense over Nehru's how did Shastri emerge as the winner?According to Succession in India, Michael Brecher's riveting 1966 book on Nehru's successors, the Congress bowed to the will of the people, conveyed through notes that Nehru preferred Shastri among all his colleagues. This choice was backed by an opinion poll that put Shastri way ahead of others, especially in the Hindi the scenes, Kamaraj orchestrated a delicate balance. Brecher notes, 'Desai, a senior conservative with a reputation for obstinacy, rallied his supporters, believing his experience gave him a strong claim. However, his rigidity alienated many. Shastri, reinstated in January, emerged as a compromise candidate, his 'remarkable lack of personal enmity' and loyalty to Nehru making him a unifying On June 9, 1964, Shastri was sworn-in as India's second Prime Minister. But the shadows remained as India braced for challenges ahead: war, famine, the weight of Nehru's legacy, and a tragedy that was to strike Shastri.,Must Watch
