Yashwantrao Chavan

Yashwantrao Chavan Biography

Yashwantrao Chavan was an Indian politician associated with Indian National Congress and Janata party, who served as the first chief minister of Maharashtra state in the independent India. A prominent political leader in the post-independent era he also served as the fifth Deputy Prime Minister of India. Fondly called Leader of Common People, he played a significant role in the betterment of the farmers in the state through the formation of co-operative societies. He was also known as a social activist and writer. A well-known parliamentarian and cabinet minister, he served as Minister of Home Affairs 1979-1980, Minister of External Affairs 1974-1977, Minister of Finance 1970-1974 and Minister of Defence 1962-1966.

Yashwantrao Balwantrao Chavan was born on 12 March 1913 in Devrashtre of Bombay Presidency, British India. He lost his father in the childhood. His mother taught her lessons of patriotism and self-dependency. He took part in freedom struggle movement since early 1930s and came into contact with many leading leaders. While doing graduation at Bombay University, he closely worked with many leaders as a part of freedom struggle movement.  In 1940, he became President of Satara District Congress. Following year he completed LLB, and married one year later.

He was one of the delegates at the Bombay session of the A.I.C.C that gave the call of Quit India Movement. He was arrested and jailed for two years. He got elected to Legislative Assembly of the Bombay State in 1946 from South Satara constituency, thus marking his successful career as a politician, leader and administrator. He was associated with Congress till 1978. When Congress split into two namely Congress (Indira) and Congress (Urs), he joined Indian National Congress-Urs. This decision gave him a major setback in his political career. He served as Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of India in Charan Singh’s cabinet in 1979. In 1981 he returned to Congress. Yashwantrao Chavan died of a heart attack on 25 November 1984 in Delhi, soon after the death of Indira Gandhi.  

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Updated: June 19, 2016