Nehru-Gandhi family

The Nehru-Gandhi (नेहरू-गान्धी परिवार) family is a political dynasty in India, which has been dominant in the Indian National Congress for much of India's independent history. Three members of the family have been Prime Minister of India, and two of these have been assassinated. A fourth member of the family, Sonia Gandhi, is President of the Congress party and was Leader of the Opposition from 1999-2004.

Rise to Power

In 1947 India became independent and Jawaharlal Nehru became Prime

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Minister, holding this post until his death in 1964. Nehru's sister, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit (1900-1990) was also prominent in Congress

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1964 - Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit - 1900 - 1990

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politics and was an Indian diplomat, serving as President of the

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United Nations General Assembly in 1953.

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United Nations General Assembly - 1953

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Nehru promoted his only child, Indira Gandhi (1917-84) (who acquired

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Indira Gandhi - 1917 - 84

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this surname through her marriage to Feroze Gandhi) to his Cabinet, and in

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1966, following the brief leadership of Lal Bahadur Shastri, she

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1966 - Lal Bahadur Shastri

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became Prime Minister, holding the position until her defeat in the

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1977 elections. During her Prime Ministership she placed her younger

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son, Sanjay Gandhi (1946-80), in senior positions, and

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Sanjay Gandhi - 1946 - 80

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his alleged abuse of power was one of the reasons for the government's

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1977 defeat. Sanjay was killed in a stunt plane crash in 1980.

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1977 - 1980

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Indira Gandhi returned to power in 1980 and remained in office until

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her assassination in 1984. She was succeeded by her elder son,

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Rajiv Gandhi (1944-91), an airline pilot who was initially reluctant to enter politics, but was persuaded by the Congress that no-one else could lead it. He was defeated at elections in 1989, but was about to return to office when he was assassinated in 1991. He was survived by his widow Sonia, and two children, Rahul and Priyanka.

Related Topics:
Rajiv Gandhi - 1944 - 91 - 1989 - Sonia - Rahul - Priyanka

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