Sanjay Gandhi Biography

Sanjay Gandhi was an Indian politician, who was expected to head the Indian National Congress after succeeding his mother. However, he died in a plane crash and his elder brother Rajiv Gandhi succeeded their mother as Prime Minister of India after her death.

Personal Life

Sanjay Gandhi was born on 14 December 1946 to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Feroze Gandhi in New Delhi. He did his schooling from Welham Boys’ School and Doon School in Dehra Dun.

He was married to Maneka Gandhi and the couple has a son Varun Gandhi. Sanjay Gandhi died in an air crash on 23 June 1980 near Safdarjung Airport New Delhi. His wife Maneka Gandhi and son Varun Gandhi are now active members of Bharatiya Janata Party.

Career

Sanjay Gandhi got himself involved with Cabinet ministers even he was not elected and held any office. In protest against him, many of the Cabinet ministers resigned from their posts, and Sanjay appointed their successors. He stood for his first election after the Emergency was lifted in March 1977. He was appointed as the secretary general of the Congress Party in May 1980, just a month before his death.

Attempted Assassination

In March 1977, he escaped an assassination attempt during his election campaign.

Controversies

Sanjay Gandhi has always been linked with many controversies. Some of the most known among them are the Maruti Limited Controversy, Compulsory sterilization program and his involvement in an emergency.