Who was India's Youngest Prime Minister?
19:58 14.10.2023 (Updated: 16:34 15.10.2023)
© AP Photo / Manish Swarup
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The Prime Minister of India is the head of government or the top executive body at federal level. But, do you know who the youngest elected prime minister of India was?
Every five years, India elects its prime minister through a national election. Although citizens do not directly elect a prime minister, most people vote for a party based on who the party's prime ministerial candidate is.
And it's not easy for a candidate to emerge victorious and balance popular appeal with responsibility necessary to run the world's largest democracy.
Since it received its independence in 1947, India has had 14 prime ministers, some of whom managed to stand for a second consecutive term.
Who's the Youngest Prime Minister of India?
Rajiv Gandhi, the seventh prime minister of India, was sworn in on 31 October 1984, at the age of 40.
Rajiv Gandhi was a visionary leader known for his modern outlook and revolutionary ideas. He was the son of Indira Gandhi, the first female Prime Minister of India, and Feroze Gandhi, a journalist and politician.
Picture taken on July 23, 1985 at New Delhi showing India Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Sikh leader Singh Longowal during their meeting aimded at finding an issue to Penjab crise.
© AFP 2023 BEDI
Born in 1944, he received his education in India and the United Kingdom and became a professional pilot in 1966. Rajiv Gandhi had his first electoral triumph in the 1981 parliamentary election after winning a by-election for Uttar Pradesh's Amethi constituency, which became vacant because the incumbent, his brother Sanjay Gandhi, died in an airplane crash.
His mother, Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India, was assassinated in 1984, after which Rajiv Gandhi came into the national spotlight and was sworn in as prime minister on the same day. However, he dissolved parliament and fresh elections were held in November.
In this picture taken early 1984 shows Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi (R) and her son Rajiv (L) at a Congress Party meeting in New Delhi. India's oldest party, the Congress, virtually written off by political pundits and rivals, made a stunning comeback in national polls 13 May 2004, under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi with results showing the party and its allies sweeping the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its coalition partners from power.
© AFP 2023 STR
He was elected as the seventh prime minister and remained in office until 2 December 1989, a total of 1,858 days.
Rajiv Gandhi's Contribution As Prime Minister
Gandhi made several significant contributions that transformed India's economy and social fabric.
Technology and Modernisation: His government launched initiatives such as computerising government offices, which laid the foundation for India's IT revolution.
Foreign Policy: He was involved in peace initiatives with neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka and played a crucial role in the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) formation.
Anti-Defection Law: The Rajiv Gandhi government introduced the Anti-Defection Law in 1985, which aimed to curb the practice of legislators switching parties, providing stability to the political system.
Panchayati Raj: His government passed amendments to the Indian Constitution, which decentralised power to local village councils (panchayats) and municipalities.
Education and Social Initiatives: Efforts were made to improve the education system and promote social welfare, emphasising education for all.
Space Program: His tenure also witnessed a successful launch of the INSAT series of satellites and the beginning of cooperation with Russia in space exploration.
Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated aged only 46 by a female suicide bomber at an election rally in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a Sri Lankan armed separatist group, were responsible for the death.
