Chandra Shekhar: The Last Icon of Ideological Politics

by Harivansh, Ravi Dutt Bajpai

The book chronicles the arduous journey of a rebel politician, the perennial Young
Turk and India’s former prime minister, Chandra Shekhar.

'Chandra Shekhar Ji was one of the tallest leaders of his times, who closely witnessed
India’s journey as an independent nation and shaped its political landscape. An
unquestionable idealist, a leader with his hands on the pulse of the people, he believed
that ultimate answers lay with the people themselves.'
— Pranab Mukherjee


This is the story of an ordinary man who did not inherit a grand legacy from a well-established
and renowned family; who did not rely on family wealth and eminence; who did not attend any
of the prestigious educational institutions in the country or abroad; and who did not command a
dedicated vote bank of any specific class, caste or community. Yet he took on the most powerful
prime minister of his time and became a formidable opponent of her politics and policies.

It is the story of a man who came from a lower middle-class family and who, despite stiff opposition
from the most powerful Indian prime minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi, won the nomination to the
Congress Working Committee, not once but thrice.

Chandra Shekhar: The Last Icon of Ideological Politics is an up-close and extraordinary life story of
an ordinary person who rose to become one of the tallest figures in Indian politics.

384 pages, Hardcover

First published July 20, 2019

Reviews

[Navdeep Pundhir · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is better than some of the biographies I have read recently. However, a problem with all biographies is that they end up being hagiographies.

[Anirudh Tamret · Rating 4 out of 5]

A magisterial biography of one of the lesser known PMs of India.

The study is filled with numerous anecdotes and experiences of Chandra Shekhar including his varied approach to contemporary socialism, Indira’s authoritative rule, the Congress split, JP, Emergency and his PMship.

An interesting read for those who want to delve deep into political machinations of post-Nehru India.

[Harsh Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mind-blowing read about a lesser known politician from the Hindi-heartland Ballia in UP. This book will tell you an untold story of a Prime Minister who saved India and its image from bankruptcy and embarrassment in the society of world.

[Simple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest and fast paced.
The book has brilliantly showcased the differnt facets of the Ex PM. His life long dedication to the socialist principles, his logical and rational opposition to his own party when they didn't adhere to the party principles. His relationship with INDIRA GANDHI, VP SINGH, RAJEEV GANDHI, CHARAN SINGH AND MORAJI DESAI has been well articulated.
The author has also done well not to push the envelope in case of suraj deo singh and his vast wealth accumulations allegations .

[Viswanath Olupu · Rating 5 out of 5]

An underestimated leader and politician

The book deals with one of least
publicised leaders and his political life. It is good that book was written about his political life and the ideas which governed him

[Varun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jan 2022 Read -

[Vinayak Mangal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Considering the time when Chandra Shekhar become the Prime Minister and effect of his decisions in the short and long term (which surprisingly have been quite significant considering his short tenure), I would have expected more scholarship on his life but this book does a reasonably good job at that and maybe because of this inadequate scholarship have to take a softer view on the protagonist (who though was genuinely the anti-thesis of the popular imagination of a politician) and therefore sometimes feels like lacking in nuance.
Overall though, an important work on a personality whose then view on future of India have been eerily correct.