Chandrashekhar Singh

For the Prime Minister of India, seeChandra Shekhar.

Chandrashekhar Singh
16thChief Minister of Bihar
In office 14 August 1983 – 12 March 1985
Preceded by	Jagannath Mishra
Succeeded by	Bindeshwari Dubey
Union Minister of State - Petroleum
In office 1985 – 9 July 1986
Prime Minister	Rajiv Gandhi
Personal details
Born	(1927-08-17)17 August 1927 Jamui,Bihar and Orissa Province,British India
Died	9 July 1986(1986-07-09)(aged 58) New Delhi,India
Political party	Indian National Congress
Spouse	Manorama Singh
Children	3
Former Chief Minister of Bihar

Chandrashekhar Singh(17 August 1927 - 9 July 1986) was a member of theIndian National Congressand served as the 16thChief Minister of Biharfrom August 1983 to March 1985.He also held a number of Union State Minister positions in the Ministry of Prime MinistersIndira GandhiandRajiv Gandhi.He was elected to Bihar Vidhan Sabha four times, and also to the Parliament a few times. He also the first minister forMinistry of Textiles.

He last held the position of Union Minister of Petroleum, during which he died due to cancer.

He was elected to the Bihar Vidhan Sabha in 1952, 1957 and 1969 fromJhajha (Vidhan Sabha constituency).He lost from Jhajha (झाझा) in 1962.He was elected to Vidhan Sabha from Chakai (चकाई) in 1972. He was also related toRajputstalwartSatyendra Narayan Sinha.In 1980, he won the parliamentary elections with an overwhelming majority fromBanka (Lok Sabha constituency).In 1983, he was handpicked byIndira Gandhito become theChief MinisterofBihar.After the 1985 elections, he was asked by Prime MinisterRajiv Gandhito return toGovernment of Indiaas Union Minister of Petroleum. He won a by-poll for Banka Lok Sabha seat in 1985. After his death in 1986, his widowManorama Singhwon the by-poll necessitated by his death. He was elected to theParliament of Indiaa total of 5 times.

A museum has also been opened in Jamui in Bihar in his name.It was established in 1983 by the state government to preserve the antiquities of the surrounding areas.

Political career

He was a grassroots congressman, being connected to all workers at village level.He also served theCongressparty at all levels from village to state level. He got elected to state assembly for first time in year 1952 when he was just 25 years.He got reelected again in the year 1957. After taking break for few years he contested elections and re-entered assembly in year 1969 and remained member till 1977. Though he contested Lok Sabha elections in 1977 as congressman, due to Janata waive he couldn't make it. However he got elected in 1980 defeating Madhu Limaye from Banka seat. He also acted in administrative capacity and became parliament secretary. He was later inducted into cabinet for various ministries such as Revenue, Industry, Minor Irrigation, Law and Public works. In 1983 Cabinet reshuffle he was made Minister of State for Energy.

Freedom movement

Chandrashekhar Singh was a part of the famous Young Turks of Bihar Congress during the independence movement along withBindeshwari Dubey,Bhagwat Jha Azad,Abdul Gafoor,Satyendra Narayan Sinha,Kedar Pandeyall future chief ministers andSitaram Kesri,future national president of Indian National Congress.

Personal background

He held a postgraduate degree in economics.