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How did Rajiv Gandhi become leader of the Indian National Congress?
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Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress leaders Mahatma Gandhi (left) and Sarojini Naidu (right) on the Salt March in western India, March 1930.
Rajiv Gandhi’s entry into politics and his subsequent rise to lead the Indian National Congress were prompted by the death of his brother, Sanjay Gandhi, in 1980. Prior to this, Rajiv had largely remained outside of political life, working as a commercial pilot.12
Following Sanjay’s death, his mother, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, drafted Rajiv into a political career. His formal ascent included the following steps:12
- Entry into Parliament: In June 1981, he was elected to the Lok Sabha in a by-election and joined the national executive of the Indian Youth Congress.12
- Party Leadership: By 1982, he became the nominal head of the party. Following the assassination of his mother on October 31, 1984, he was sworn in as prime minister that same day and was formally elected leader of the Congress (I) Party a few days later.312
Rajiv Gandhi led the party until his own assassination in 1991, after which he was succeeded by P.V. Narasimha Rao.32