Vishwanath Pratap Singh, often known as "Raja Saheb," remains an unforgettable figure in Indian political history, primarily for his role in exposing the Bofors scandal and subsequently dethroning Rajiv Gandhi's government. Singh's actions not only altered the course of Indian politics but also ushered in a new era of political consciousness and accountability.
Born on June 25, 1931, and passing away on November 27, 2008, V. P. Singh's career spanned various significant roles. He was a member of the Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly in 1969 and was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1971. Under Indira Gandhi, he served as deputy minister of commerce in 1974 and later as minister of commerce in 1976-77. When Indira Gandhi returned to power in 1980, Singh became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh until 1982, later resuming his role as commerce minister in 1983. Following Indira Gandhi's death in 1984, Rajiv Gandhi appointed him as the Minister of Finance.
During his tenure as Finance Minister, Singh gained widespread praise for his efforts to reduce governmental regulation of business and prosecute tax fraud. He was then appointed Minister of Defence in January 1987. It was during this time that the Bofors scandal came to light, which would ultimately define his political legacy.
The Bofors scandal revolved around allegations of kickbacks paid to Indian politicians and defense officials in connection with a deal with Swedish arms manufacturer AB Bofors for supplying Howitzer guns to the Indian Army. The scandal erupted in April 1987 when Swedish Radio claimed that Bofors had paid bribes to secure the deal.
As Defence Minister, V. P. Singh initiated investigations into the arms procurement process. As the Bofors scandal gained traction, Singh resigned from his post in 1987. He left the Congress party and formed the Janata Dal in 1988, merging various factions of the Janata Party.
In the 1989 elections, the National Front, led by V. P. Singh and supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), formed the government. Singh became the Prime Minister on December 2, 1989. His government decided to launch criminal proceedings against senior Bofors officials, Indian civil servants, and middlemen involved in the deal.
V. P. Singh's government tenure was marked by significant events, including the exodus of Kashmiri Hindus and the implementation of the Mandal Commission report, which recommended reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in government services. This decision led to widespread protests.
Despite his efforts, Singh's government was short-lived. On November 7, 1990, he resigned after receiving a vote of no confidence in the Lok Sabha. Though his time as Prime Minister was brief, his actions had a lasting impact on Indian politics. V.P. Singh’s announcement of implementing 27% reservation in central government services for OBCs remains the single-biggest step towards affirmative action in the country.
V. P. Singh's legacy is complex. He is remembered for his commitment to fighting corruption and his efforts to promote social justice. While his government was unstable and faced numerous challenges, his role in exposing the Bofors scandal and his decision to implement the Mandal Commission recommendations have left an indelible mark on Indian history. "Raja Saheb" remains an unforgettable figure, symbolizing a pivotal moment in Indian politics.
