P. V. Narasimha Rao

Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao (?????????? ???? ???????? ???? in Telugu, ??????????? ?????? ??????? ??? in Devanagari) (June 28, 1921 – December 23, 2004) was the ninth Prime Minister of the Republic of India, and led possibly the most critically important administration in national history.

Later Life and Legacy

Rao's government survived a "no-confidence" vote in Parliament in 1994. In 1996 a corruption scandal rocked the government. When general elections were held in May, Rao and Congress were badly defeated, and he lost the prime ministership. He retained leadership of the Congress party until late 1996. After his tenure, Rao was charged in several bribery cases, the most famous among them being the one involving Harshad Mehta, although he was later acquitted on all charges. In late 1996, Rao was ousted as party leader and his political career ended.

Related Topics:
1996 - Corruption - Bribery - Harshad Mehta

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Rao rarely spoke of his personal views and opinions during his 5 year tenure. After his retirement from national politics Rao published a novel named The Insider (ISBN 0670878502). The controversial book, which follows the career of a person as he rises through the ranks of Indian politics, resembled events from Rao's own life. Rao, however, denied any connection.

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Rao suffered a heart attack in December 2004 and died at the age of 83.

Related Topics:
Heart attack - December 2004

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Rao never was an iconic leader. And while his leadership through the economic crisis, terrorism, religious violence and corruption scandals inspired the people to beat the odds, endure the hardship and look at the future optimistically, he was never loved or idolized. And since the fruits of his substantial labors were long to materialize, he was never actually as popular as his more iconic predecessors, who had faced and achieved much less.

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