Inspirational Quotes by Morarji Desai (Indian Political Leader)

Morarji Ranchhodji Desai (1896–1995) was an Indian nationalist and political leader who served as India’s prime minister 1977–79. He was the first leader of sovereign India not to represent the long-ruling Indian National Congress party.

Born in Bhadeli, Gujarat province of British India, Desai joined Mahatma Gandhi’s civil disobedience movement and spent almost ten years in British jails during India’s struggle for independence. During the 1930s and 1940s, he alternated prison service with ministerial posts in the government of Bombay, rising to the chief ministerial position in 1952.

After the death of Jawaharlal Nehru, he was a strong contestant for the post of Prime Minister, but his rigorous and autocratic style made him too many adversaries within the Congress Party. When Nehru’s daughter Indira Gandhi became Prime Minister, Desai held prominent positions in the central government. He resigned in 1968 over differences with Gandhi and was detained when Gandhi imposed a state of emergency.

In 1977, Desai was the obvious candidate to lead the opposition Janata Party, a coalition of four smaller parties. After leading his party to victory in the subsequent elections, Desai became Prime Minister. However, his inflexible style handicapped him in dealing with the economic and party-factional problems, and he resigned in 1979.

Desai was famous for his strict personal regime and for practicing urine therapy. In retirement, he wrote the two-volume autobiography The Story of My Life (1982.)

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Morarji Desai