Chandra Shekhar quotes

Chandra Shekhar was an Indian politician who served as the Prime Minister of India. Known as a prominent socialist leader, he played a key role in Indian political history during the late 20th century. He was often called the "Young Turk" for his outspoken advocacy of reform and social justice. Here are 20 of his quotes:

There were five issues involved in Bharat Yatra-scarcity of proper food and drinking water, primary education, basic health amenities and fifth - social harmony. I had planned in my mind that we would work in 350 backward districts of the country. In order to perform this task I had decided to quit the post of the President of the Janata Party. But I could not do this. After the Yatra I became trapped in the politics of o. (Chandra Shekhar)
I believe in expressing my view openly and in a forthright manner. After assuming the new responsibility, I will think over the matter and crystalize my approach. My government will do everything to take the country forward in all spheres. View quote
Chandra Shekhar
There comes a time when one has to choose whether to kneel and be blessed, or to stand up and be counted. I choose the latter. View quote
Chandra Shekhar
It is a job of a police inspector to monitor it. View quote
Chandra Shekhar
He planned a Yatra from Puri in Orissa to Porbander in Gujarat. An effort was also made in this direction with the support of four former Prime Ministers. It becomes evident from these concrete ventures and programmes that his protest against globalisation was not merely verbal. View quote
Chandra Shekhar
He was strongly opposed to getting loans from international financial institutions but the crisis during his time left the country with no choice but to fully embrace World Bank and IMF and the liberalisation policies. View quote
Chandra Shekhar
He was known for his flawless oratory and a matter-of-fact style in which he held no punches. He would be hard-hitting in his criticism when occasion demanded. View quote
Chandra Shekhar
As a Member of Parliament, he made a mark opposing policies he thought were harmful and was strongly against growth of monopolies with state patronage. View quote
Chandra Shekhar
His government had come to power at a time when the country was facing many challenges and each one must come forward in our endevour to overcome them. The first task was for him was to end the prevailing strife and bring about peace and harmony. View quote
Chandra Shekhar
When in Congress, he, along with the other Young Turks, actively promoted bank nationalization and the abolition of privy purses and privileges. View quote
Chandra Shekhar
I do not expect any problems to arise because we do not expect Mr. Chandra Shekhar to do anything that is inconsistent with Congress ideology and policies. (Chandra Shekhar)
Immorality and opportunism holds sway in public life. Unprincipled alliances are being forged going against the verdict of the people. This alliance is not going to last long. View quote
Chandra Shekhar
A strident socialist, he made his presence felt in the political life of our country in the past four decades but with the unique distinction of not having held any ministerial office. View quote
Chandra Shekhar
I am a Hindu... I am proud of being a Hindu... and because of tolerance to all other religions, I consider Hinduism superior. View quote
Chandra Shekhar
I am 10 per cent politician and 90 per cent human being. View quote
Chandra Shekhar
A compulsive dissenter, he had all along remained outside the precincts of governmental power – a fact that has made him an enigma. View quote
Chandra Shekhar
In 1988 his [Shekhar's] Janata Party merged with several other opposition parties to form the Janata Dal Party under the leadership of V.P. Singh, who subsequently became prime minister. After leading an internal rebellion against Singh, Shekhar broke with the Janata Dal Party on 5 November 1990, and quickly formed the Janata Dal–Socialist faction. With the support of Rajiv Gandhi's Congress (I) Party, he replaced Singh as India's prime minister on 10 November 1990, as head of a weak minority government. He resigned on 6 March 1991, after the Congress (I) Party withdrew its support, but he remained in office as a caretaker until national legislative elections could be held in May and June; he was eventually replaced by P. V. Narasimha Rao. View quote
Chandra Shekhar
A fierce critic of the politics of personalities and power, Chandra Shekhar stood for that of ideology and social change and the fact he was arrested (under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act) in 1975, despite being nominally a member of the ruling party, possibly says it all. View quote
Chandra Shekhar
He is a man of destiny and will become one of the makers of new India. View quote
Chandra Shekhar
His political thought and concern found genesis in the socialist movement and ideology. Gandhi had been a deep influence on his ideas and personality. He was an erudite leader. He edited an important journal of the socialist movement, "Sangharsh", which was initially brought out by his political guru Acharya Narendra Dev. He edited another journal Young Indian in Hindi as well as in English. In the 19 months of his imprisonment during the Emergency he wrote a diary, published in two parts under the title "Meri Jail Diary". View quote
Chandra Shekhar