Madhav Singh Solanki (30 July 1927 – 9 January 2021) was a leader of Indian National Congress party who served as External Affairs minister of India. He served also as the Chief Minister of Gujarat three times. He was known for KHAM theory by which he came to power in Gujarat in 1980s.[1]

Madhavsinh Singh Solanki
Minister of External Affairs
In office
21 June 1991 – 31 March 1992
Prime MinisterP.V. Narasimha Rao
Preceded byChandra Shekhar
Succeeded byP.V. Narasimha Rao
7th Chief Minister of Gujarat
In office
24 December 1976 – 10 April 1977
Preceded byPresident's rule
Succeeded byBabubhai J. Patel
In office
7 June 1980 – 6 July 1985
Preceded byPresident's rule
Succeeded byAmarsinh Chaudhary
In office
10 December 1989 – 4 March 1990
Preceded byAmarsinh Chaudhary
Succeeded byChimanbhai Patel
Personal details
Born(1927-07-30)30 July 1927
Piludara, Baroda State, India
Died9 January 2021(2021-01-09) (aged 93)
Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
Political partyIndian National Congress
Children3

Early life edit

Madhav was born on 30 July 1927 in a family of Gujarat.[2] His eldest son, Bharatsinh Madhavsinh Solanki, is also a politician.

Career edit

In 1981, the Government of Gujarat headed by the chief minister Solanki, introduced the reservation for socially and economically backward classes based on recommendations of Bakshi Commission. It resulted in anti-reservation agitation across the state which spilled over in riots resulting in more than hundred deaths. Solanki resigned in 1985 but later returned to power winning 149 out of 182 assembly seats [a record till BJP's victory in 2022 Assembly Elections]. He was supported by Kshatriya, Harijan, Adivasi and Muslims; called collectively as KHAM formula. It resulted in other communities losing the political influence.[3]

Bofors edit

According to the CBI, Solanki visited Davos in Switzerland in 1992 to attend the World Economic Forum where he allegedly met the Swiss foreign minister Rene Felber and told him that "inquiries conducted into the scam in India had failed to produce any result and that the request for mutual assistance was based on political considerations".[4]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Bhattacharya, D. P. (6 November 2012). "Looking past 2012". India Today.
  2. ^ "Madhav Singh Solanki, Seventh Chief Minister of Gujarat | Mukhyamantri | VTV Gujarati - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  3. ^ Langa, Mahesh (23 August 2015). "Quota agitation in Gujarat heading for caste conflicts?". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  4. ^ "Solanki tried to scuttle Bofors probe: CBI | India News - Times of India". The Times of India.
Political offices
Preceded by Chief Minister of Gujarat
24 December 1976 - 10 April 1977
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief Minister of Gujarat
7 June 1980 - 6 July 1985
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief Minister of Gujarat
10 December 1989 - 3 March 1990
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of External Affairs
21 June 1991 - 31 March 1992
Succeeded by

External links edit