Lalit Kishore Chaturvedi

Lalit Kishore Chaturvedi (2 August 1931 – 5 April 2015) was an Indian politician who was one of the founding Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members in Rajasthan. He was a member of the Rajya Sabha. He was cabinet minister in earlier state BJP ministries with responsibilities of important portfolios. He was earlier state president of Bharatiya Janata Party, Rajasthan .. He had a Master of Science degree in physics. He was imprisoned in 1949 while participating in satyagraha to lift ban on RSS during 1948-50; organized movement against emergency and remained in jail for eighteen months, 1974-76. He was the only cabinet minister to have resigned for Ram Mandir movement in 1991.

Former BJP President Rajasthan and Former Cabinet Minister Government of Rajasthan.

Early life

He was born on 2nd August 1931 Kota (Rajasthan), he had done MSc in Physics and was working as lecturer in various government colleges (from 1954-1966). He was married to Urmila Chaturvedi.

Prof. Chaturvedi was adopted by his maternal grandfather Shri Anandi Lal Chaturvedi.

Prof. Chaturvedi was intelligent, talented, sharp since childhood. He completed his primary school education from New High School, Kota, which is now known as Mahatma Gandhi Vidyalaya, Rampura. He completed his B.Sc. from Herbert College, Kota And after that M.Sc. in Physics from Maharaja College, Jaipur. After passing the exam, he obtained the title of Visharad in Hindi Sahitya Sammelan Prayag.

Very few people know that Prof. Chaturvedi was also a scout and became a swimmer by swimming in the Chambal River and was a good player of carrom, cards, contact bridge, volleyball, football and badminton and used to play chess very well.

In 1940, he was influenced by the thoughts of the most respected Dr. Hedgewar ji of the Sangh and when the cholera pandemic spread in India in 1940, Prof. Chaturvedi was 10 years old and spontaneously got involved in service work with a group. Later it was found out that it was a Sangh group and in the same group he met with Shri Durga Shankar Soni ji from kota he and in 1944, he joined him for the first time in the shakha, went in and entered the Sangh.

When Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in 1948, the Sangh was also banned. In that ban, Prof. Chaturvedi  went to jail for the first time. After going to jail, there was an uproar in the house and Nana Shri Anandi Lal, who was a respected person in the society, intervened and asked Prof. Chaturvedi that if you apologize, then we will free you. Prof. Chaturvedi flatly refused to apologize and said that we have not committed any crime to apologize, the government has accused the Sangh of killing Mahatma Gandhi without any reason, we oppose it and will not apologize and Prof. Chaturvedi remained in jail for 19 days and was released early because he was a student.

Prof. Chaturvedi due to this tenacity, when the then Sir Sanghchalak Most Revered Guru Ji came to Kota, he specially called Chaturvedi and met him and praised him.

Union Education Category: -

First year in 1952

Second year in 1953

Third year Sangh Shikshan Varg in 1954.

In 1954, M.Sc. As soon as he did, he got a job as a lecturer in Physics and his first posting was in Government College, Banswara.

One day in 1955, he got a message to come home immediately, you are getting married and as soon as you arrive, the wedding procession will go to Mathura and it is said that women contribute in the making of every great man, Tuesday, June 28, 1955 was his Marriage Date.

He got married at the age of 23. He was married to Urmila, daughter of Mumbai resident Shri Chhotalal Ji Chaturvedi.

Political career

1956 - 1977 Worker period: -

He Worked as a Professor of Physics and being a volunteer and responsible worker of the Sangh, he was transferred 11 times in his 13 years of service, mainly to Banswara, Dungarpur, Jodhpur, Fatehpur Shekhawati, Udaipur, Didwana, Kota, Ganganagar and finally Bharatpur.

And the incident of Kota (1957).

Late in 1957 assembly elections from Udaipur on Jan Sangh ticket. When Shri Bhanukumar ji Shastri lost to the then Chief Minister Mohanlal Sukhadia by a large number of votes, it was believed that no one could defeat Sukhadia ji and Sukhadia ji announced that he would not come to campaign in the next elections. Meanwhile, in 1959 In 1962, Lalit ji was transferred to the Agricultural College, Udaipur. In 1962, with the assembly elections coming, Chaturved i ji did so much Sangh work and established so many workers in Udaipur that a few months before the elections, Congress workers asked Sukhadiya ji to That you will have to spend the entire time in the election campaign and if Lalit Chaturvedi is not transferred, you will lose the election.

When Sukhadiya ji called the department secretary for the transfer of Chaturvedi ji, he came to know that at that time there was a rule that the professor of Agriculture College could be transferred only in Agriculture College. At that time, apart from Udaipur, there was only agricultural college in Jobner, Jaipur. So the MLA there came to know that Chaturvedi was being transferred to Jobner Agricultural College, so he came to Sukhadiya ji's office with his team and insisted that Chaturvedi would not be transferred in his area. The rules had to be changed and Chaturvedi ji was transferred to Didwana. Still, Chaturvedi remained in touch with the workers of Udaipur and Sukhadiya ji had to remain in the election campaign all the time and had to sweat to win and he was able to win by only a few votes.

On the other hand, in Didwana, Chaturvedi ji was given the responsibility of co-department work of the entire Jodhpur department and in that department, he set up the work of the Sangh in a big way. Congress workers of that division used to complain about Lalit ji that remove him from here, he is creating such a Sangh's work, he has created so many workers that we are in trouble. So Sukhadiya ji used to say angrily that wherever he goes, the Sangh creates an army of workers, after that in July 1963, Lalit ji was transferred to Kota. Wherever he goes, he makes the work of the Sangh stand, this time he is transferred to the girls college, let's see how the work of the Sangh stands there, then in November 1964 he was transferred to the Ganganagar Girl's College. The Principal there Mrs. Rama Kochar is directed not to leave the college. Rama Kochhar was a strict lady and Chaturvedi was very polite. While working in a planned way, he goes two steps ahead, he made so much discipline in the college that Rama Kochhar was impressed and she made Chaturvedi her younger brother and Chaturvedi set up the women's wing of the Sangh's Sevika Samiti in the college.

When he was transferred to Bharatpur in 1966, suddenly one day in the evening Kota Vibhag Karyavaha Shri Raghuveer Singh ji came to Bharatpur for meet Lalit ji and said that honorable Sundar Singh ji Bhandari has called you to Delhi. Bhandari ji was the Akhil Bharatiya Sangathan  Mantri of Jansangh at that time.

In the morning both of them left for Delhi. On reaching Delhi, Bhandari ji said, Lalit ji, I need organization minister to set up the work and workers of Jansangh in Rajasthan. How will the house run, what will happen to the family. Just obeying the order and accepting the resignation, came to Bharatpur. And the very next day, taking his resignation letter, he reached in front of the Principal of the college, Mr. Maharishi and gave his resignation from the job for the Jansangh.

From 1966 to 1972, be it summer, rain, storm or storm, be it cold or Heat wave, sitting on a motorcycle as the organization minister of Jansangh, from Ganganagar to Banswara, Jaisalmer-Barmer to Bharatpur, Jansangh workers in all the districts of Rajasthan. The army was made to stand in every house.

1972 Due to staying outside Kota for the entire time in organization formation, in 1972 he contested elections from Digod area of Kota on Jan Sangh ticket and lost the election to Nagendra Bala of Congress but his enthusiasm did not end. And after losing the elections, the responsibility of further strengthening the organization came and he was made the Organization General Secretary of Jan Sangh Rajasthan and then the direction of strengthening the organization was decided and he set out on the mission.

1975 emergency

On June 25, 1975, a black eclipse of emergency was imposed on Indian politics. Lalit ji along with the workers launched a public awareness campaign against the emergency and Nanaji Deshmukh was taken on a scooter and accompanied the underground workers in Jaipur, Kishangarh, Ajmer, Bhilwara, Chittor and Udaipur. Held meetings and planned and executed protests and was arrested in August 1975 and remained in Kota jail. In the jail, criminals and emergency prisoners were kept in the same cell. In protest against that, we went on hunger strike in front of the jailer. We should be kept in separate cells, we should be allowed to roam freely in the jail, we should have books to read and volleyball to play. To be made available The jailer had to agree and then started roaming and playing freely in the jail. He used to set up the evening branch regularly in the jail.

1977 After the Jaiprakash Narayan ji movement, emergency was lifted on March 21, 1977 and when he was released from jail, he was welcomed like a winner in the city and elections were announced. Lalit ji was made to contest elections from Kota city on Jansangh ticket. Lalit ji spent Rs. 3000 and won the election.

1977 to 2000 MLA period: -

In 1977, he became a minister for the first time and that too he got cabinet with 8 departments.

Mid-term elections were held in 1980 and he again became MLA from Kota and started working in the organization as General Secretary of BJP.

It is said that he used to have tea with the workers of Bikaner, lunch with the workers of Jodhpur and dinner with the workers of Udaipur and the next morning with the same enthusiasm he used to meet the workers at his residence in Jaipur and The problem could be seen to be solved.

Tragic incidents from 1984 to 1985: A case was filed against his assembly victory, he ceased to be an MLA while being an MLA, then won from the court and contested elections again in 90.

In 1987, his son-in-law met with an accident and was on the verge of death.

1987 Mother died.

1987 Own bypass surgery.

He were the state president of BJP from 1987-89. After having trouble with the top leadership, he decided that to ensure that no abusive words came out of his mouth, he observed silence for 7 days, out of which, for the first 3 days, he concentrated on himself and kept himself in anonymity and did not meet anyone.

By winning the 1990 elections with a huge majority, he became the Minister of Education, Public Works and Medical Affairs.

In 1991, Chaturvedi ji organized a huge Bhagwat Katha at his Civil Lines residence.

In making Baran a district in 1991, Prof. Chaturvedi had a major contribution.

In 1992, he started the poor patient treatment project for free treatment of patients.

1992 Resignation of the post of Ram Mandir Construction Minister Jogshwar Garg, Satish ji Punia and thousands of workers went, one of them was his elder sister Usha Chaturvedi who went up to the dome and brought a brick from the structure that was demolished. The workers and Lalit remained hungry for many days but had come back successful.

After winning the election in 1993, he became the Minister of Higher and Technical Education and Public Works (Cabinet Minister) till 1998.

In 1994, for the first time in the country, a road policy prepared by a minister was made by Lalit ji, which he presented in 1994 for the approval of the cabinet, in which many things were prominent.

In 1997, he had a major contribution in making Karauli a district.

In the 1998 elections, anti-incumbency sentiments prevailed and BJP lost elections in entire Rajasthan, including Lalit Kishore Chaturvedi.

From 1999 to 2000 he again got involved in organization work.

In these 21 years, Lalit ji along with his entire team went for Gorvadhan ji Parikrma (Approx. 21 times).

Now let me tell you why this is the golden age.

After winning the election from Kota, Lalit ji became the cabinet minister of major departments for the first time in the government of Shri Bhairon Singh ji Shekhawat in the joint party government and remained MLA from Kota for 21 consecutive years in 1980, 1985, 1990, 1993.

Golden years in Rajasthan development

01. As the Electricity Minister, He laid the foundation and started many grid stations to make Rajasthan self-reliant in the electricity sector.

02. As Public Works Minister, he laid a network of roads in Rajasthan and connected almost all the major religious places of the state with roads.

03. While being the Medical Minister, thousands of government hospitals, dispensaries and primary hospitals were started and hospital buildings were constructed by many Bhamashahs.

04. While being the Irrigation Minister, he repaired canals, constructed new canals and constructed many small and big dams.

05. While being the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, thousands of ITIs were established in Rajasthan to hone the talent of the youth. Women colleges, polytechnic colleges, agricultural colleges, Ayurveda colleges and employment-oriented education centres should be started at colleges, universities, every district headquarters.

06. While being the Education Minister, he upgraded new schools, girls schools and provided many rights to teachers.

07. Many research centres, labs and science libraries were started through the Ministry of Science and Technology.

08. In these 21 years, he headed the departments of Electricity, Irrigation, Education, Higher Education, Science and Technology, Technical Education, Autonomous Government, Medical, Public Works, Energy, Canal and Dam for 11 years and got countless development works done.

09. This new assembly of Jaipur, its complete map was made by CHC in 1998 and perhaps its foundation stone was also laid by Bhairon Singh ji Shekhawat and Lalit Kishore Chaturvedi.

In 2003 Prof. Chaturvedi ji again became the state president of BJP Rajasthan.

In 2006 itself, he completed 75 years of his life and his Amrit Mahotsav was celebrated at many places like Jaipur, Kota, Udaipur etc. The biggest Amrit Mahotsav was held in Birla Auditorium, Jaipur in which the then Sir Sanghchalak Most Respected Shri Surdashan Ji, Chief Minister Smt. Vasundhara ji were presenti, Gulabchand Ji Kataria, and Nimbark Sant Shri Ji Maharaj were present.

In 2006, Chaturvedi ji completed his two-year presidential term and started working in Rajya Sabha.

Lalit ji was a worker with an impressive personality. He was more of a servant than a politician. His political career of 51 years was spotless. He earned so much name and respect that it cannot be erased from birth to birth.

Died on 5 April 2015.

Electoral history

1. Janata Party MLA , Kota (Rajasthan) (1977-1980)
2. Bharatiya Janata Party MLA , Kota (Rajasthan) (1980-1985)
3. Bharatiya Janata Party MLA , Kota (Rajasthan) (1985-1990)
4. Bharatiya Janata Party MLA , Kota (Rajasthan) (1990-1992)
5. Bharatiya Janata Party MLA , Kota (Rajasthan) (1993-1998)
6. Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha (Rajasthan) (2004-2010)

Offices held

1. Cabinet Minister, Govt of Rajasthan (1977-1978)
2. Cabinet Minister, Govt of Rajasthan (1990-1992)
3. Cabinet Minister, Govt of Rajasthan (1993-1998)
4. State Organising Secretary, Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Rajasthan, 1966-71
5. State General Secretary (i) Janata Party, 1977-80 (ii) Bharatiya Janata Party, 1980-85 and 1998-2003
6. State President Bhartiya Janta Party Rajasthan (1987-1989 & 2004-2006)

External links

• Parliament of India member homepage
• https://sansad.in/rs/members/biography/1961?from=search
• https://rajasthanlink.com/VanuDetails/kota/assembly-6/57516/lalit-kishor-chaturvedi-mla
• https://rajasthan.bjp.org/lt-shri-lalit-kishor-chaturvedi