Morarji Ranchhodji Desai

Morarji Ranchhodji Desai (1896-1995), Indian statesman, who spearheaded the drive to unseat Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and succeeded her as prime minister (1977-1979). He was born near Bombay (now Mumbai) and educated at what is now the University of Mumbai. Inspired by the nationalist leader Mohandas K. Gandhi, he joined Gandhi's civil disobedience movement in 1930 and was imprisoned five times by the British. After India won independence, he served as chief minister in the administration of Bombay State (1952-1956) and subsequently held several cabinet posts in the national government (1956-1963 and 1967-1969). A sharp critic of Indira Gandhi, he was imprisoned when the latter instituted emergency rule in 1975. Released two months before elections in 1977, Desai chaired the Janata Party that won the elections and then became prime minister. He resigned in 1979 because of dissension within his government.