Kamalapati Tripathi

Kamalapati Tripathi (3 September 1905^[1] – 8 October 1990) was an Indian politician, writer, journalist, and freedom fighter. He was a senior Indian National Congress leader from Varanasi constituency. He served as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (1969–1970) as well as Union Minister for Railways. He was the only (executive) working president of Indian National Congress, serving from 1983 to 1986.

Kamalapati Tripathi
15th Minister of Railways
In office 14 January 1980 – 12 November 1980
Prime Minister	Indira Gandhi
Preceded by	T. A. Pai
Succeeded by	Kedar Pandey
In office 11 February 1975 – 23 March 1977
Prime Minister	Indira Gandhi
Preceded by	Lalit Narayan Mishra
Succeeded by	Madhu Dandavate
7th Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh
In office 4 April 1971 – 13 June 1973
Preceded by	Tribhuvan Narain Singh
Succeeded by	President's rule
2nd Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh
In office 26 February 1969 – 17 February 1970
Chief Minister	Chandra Bhanu Gupta
Preceded by	Ram Prakash Gupta
Succeeded by	Keshav Prasad Maurya Dinesh Sharma
Working President of Indian National Congress
In office 1983 – 12 November 1986
President	Indira Gandhi Rajiv Gandhi
Preceded by	position created
Succeeded by	Vacant
Personal details
Born	3 September 1905 Benares, Benares State, British India
Died	8 October 1990 (aged 85) Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Political party	Indian National Congress

Family

Kamlapati Tripathi was born in a Saryupareen Brahmin family.^[2][3] His father's name was Pandit Narayan Pati Tripathi.^[4] He had three sons and two daughters. The eldest son was Lokpati Tripathi who was also a minister in Uttar Pradesh, his second son was Mayapati Tripathi who founded the social organisation by the name of Akhil Bharatiya Kissan Mazdoor Vahini. His youngest son was Manglapati Tripathi (also called Shashipati Tripathi).^[5]

Early years

Tripathi started his career as a journalist working for the daily Hindi newspaper Aaj and later Sansaar. He was also the editor of the two tabloids.^{[citation needed]}

Political career

Indian independence movement

During 1921, Kamalapati Tripathi participated in Non-cooperation Movement. He was also an active participant in the Civil Disobedience Movement, for which he was jailed. In 1942 he was on his way to Mumbai to participate in the Quit India Movement when he was arrested and jailed for 3 years. Kamalapati Tripathi was elected to the Constituent Assembly from United Province on Congress Party ticket and played an important part in the drafting of the Constitution of India.^[6]

Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh

He remained Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh from 4 April 1971 until 12 June 1973.^[7] His resignation was a result of the 1973 Provincial Armed Constabulary revolt.^[8]

Union Minister for Railways

He was Union Minister for Railways two times first from 1975 to 1977 and then briefly in 1980. He presented Railway Budget of India four times: 1975–76, 1976–77, 1980–81 (interim) and 1980–81 (final).^[9] Following trains were introduced during his tenure:^[10]

• Sabarmati Express
• Ganga Kaveri Express
• Neelambari Express
• Varanasi Express (Delhi-Lucknow Exp. extended)
• Tamil Nadu Express
• Kashi Vishwanath Express

An 8-kilometer-long new Railway line between Telapur-Patanchera was opened during his tenure.^[11]

The Diesel Loco Shed in Pune was started in his tenure.

Working President of INC

After the death of son Sanjay Gandhi in a plane crash, Indira Gandhi made Tripathi the working president.^[12] But, after the Assassination of Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi sworn in as Congress President and Prime Minister of India, Tripathi made conflict with him. In November 1986, he resigned.^[5]

As an author

He authored following works:

• Bandi Ki Chetna, 1946
• Bapu aur Bharat,^[13]
  • Barcode  : 1990010092576
  • Country  : India
  • Language  : Hindi
  • Edition  : Hardcover (386 pages)
  • Publisher : Saraswati Mandir (1945)
• Bapu Aur Manawata,^[14]
  • Barcode  : 1990010092577
  • Country  : India
  • Language  : Hindi
  • Edition  : Hardcover (413 pages)
  • Publisher : Saraswati Mandir (1945)
• Gandhi and Humanity
  • ISBN: ISBN 978-81-7156-335-7
  • Country  : India
  • Language  : English
  • Edition  : Hardcover (248 pages)
  • Publisher : Atlantic Publishers & Distributors (1993)
• Freedom movement and afterwards
  • ISBN: ISBN 978-81-7124-041-8
  • Country  : India
  • Language  : English
  • Edition  : Hardcover (228 pages)
  • Publisher : Vishwavidyalaya Prakashan (1989)