Bhola Paswan Shastri

Bhola Paswan Shastri (21 September 1914 – 10 September 1984) was an Indian independence activist and politician who thrice served as Chief Minister of Bihar between 1968 and 1982. He was the first individual from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to be Chief Minister.^[1]

Bhola Paswan Shastri
Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha
In office 24 February 1978 – 23 March 1978
Preceded by	Kamalapati Tripathi
Succeeded by	Kamalapati Tripathi
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
In office 31 May 1972 – 2 April 1982
Constituency	Bihar
8th Chief Minister of Bihar
In office 2 June 1971 – 9 January 1972
Preceded by	Karpoori Thakur
Succeeded by	President's rule
In office 22 June 1969 – 4 July 1969
Preceded by	Harihar Singh
Succeeded by	President's rule
In office 22 March 1968 – 29 June 1968
Preceded by	B. P. Mandal
Succeeded by	President's rule
Personal details
Born	(1914-09-21)21 September 1914 Bairgacchi, Bihar and Orissa Province, British India
Died	10 September 1984(1984-09-10) (aged 69) New Delhi, India
Political party	Indian National Congress
Spouse(s)	Shanti Soren and Shushila Bharti
Children	One son
Residence	Patna
Alma mater	Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi
Profession	Politician, social worker

Biography

Bhola Paswan Shastri was born in a Paswan community in the village of Bairgacchi, in Purnia district (now Katihar District). Shastri's family was poor, and his father worked in the home of the Raj Darbhanga's royal family.^[2]

In 1968, Shastri became Chief Minister of Bihar for the first time, though this term lasted only three months. This marked the first time a member of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes had become Chief Minister. He became Chief Minister for second time for 13 days in 1969 and for third time in 1971 for seven months before political turmoil overtook the state.^{[2][clarification needed]}

Shastri died on 10 September 1984 in New Delhi.^[3]

Legacy

Despite his short tenures as Chief Minister, Shastri continues to be a popular figure in Bairgacchi.^[2] Bhola Paswan Shastri Agricultural College is named after him.^[4]