Surjit Singh Barnala
Encyclopedia
Surjit Singh Barnala is an Indian politician from Punjab
. During his career in Indian politics, he has been Governor of four states, Chief Minister of Punjab
, a minister in the union cabinet twice and a vice-presidential candidate once.
, Punjab
state. Born of a well-to-do family (his father was a magistrate), Barnala passed Law from Lucknow University in 1946. In Lucknow, he was involved in the Quit India Movement
of 1942. Subsequently he practised law for some years, and became politically active in the late '60s, rising through the ranks of Akali Dal. Though, he first stood for election in 1952 but lost by a meager 4 votes.
, but had to resign as per the rule that states that one cannot hold two offices of profit.
Barnala served as Chief Minister
of Punjab from September 29, 1985 until May 11, 1987. Barnala, a member of the Sikh political party Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal)
served as Chief Minister
during a period of terrorism in Punjab. The state had under in Barnala's chief ministership from 1985 to 1987, and after nearly two years in office, President's Rule
was imposed.
Since then, Barnala has served as a Governor of several states. He first served as Governor of Tamil Nadu from 1990 to 1991 for about seven months. Barnala refused to recommend the dismissal of the Tamil Nadu government, and when he was later transferred as Governor of Bihar he choose to resign. He served as the lieutenant governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands from December 1990 to 18 March 1993. He was the Governor of Uttarakhand
from its creation in 2000 until 2003, and Governor of Andhra Pradesh
from 2003 to 2004, and was Governor of Tamil Nadu till 31st August 2011.
In 1997 Barnala was a candidate in the election of Vice-President of India.
Barnala was elected to the Indian Parliament thrice. He served as Food, Agriculture & Rural Development minister in 1977 in the Morarji Desai Ministry. In 1998, he also served as Chemical & Fertilizers, Food & Consumer Affairs minister in the second Vajpayee Ministry. He lost the Lok Sabha elections in 1999.
They have a daughter Amrit Kaur,who is married to an Army officer Maj.Adesh Pal Singh Sandhu. His son, Jasjit singh Barnala is a businessman. He runs Barnas International Pvt Ltd. Ganganjit Singh Barnala has started his political career following his father's foot steps. Their youngest son Neilinder Singh Barnala died in a car accident in 1996. They have seven grand-children.
Punjab (India)
Punjab ) is a state in the northwest of the Republic of India, forming part of the larger Punjab region. The state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the east, Haryana to the south and southeast and Rajasthan to the southwest as well as the Pakistani province of Punjab to the...
. During his career in Indian politics, he has been Governor of four states, Chief Minister of Punjab
Punjab (India)
Punjab ) is a state in the northwest of the Republic of India, forming part of the larger Punjab region. The state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the east, Haryana to the south and southeast and Rajasthan to the southwest as well as the Pakistani province of Punjab to the...
, a minister in the union cabinet twice and a vice-presidential candidate once.
Early life
Barnala was born in Ateli village, which was then part of NabhaNabha
Nabha is a city and municipal council in the Patiala district to the south-west of the Indian state of Punjab. In 1998, the annual income of Nabha state was Rs 1,50,000/-.- Princely State of Nabha :...
, Punjab
Punjab (India)
Punjab ) is a state in the northwest of the Republic of India, forming part of the larger Punjab region. The state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the east, Haryana to the south and southeast and Rajasthan to the southwest as well as the Pakistani province of Punjab to the...
state. Born of a well-to-do family (his father was a magistrate), Barnala passed Law from Lucknow University in 1946. In Lucknow, he was involved in the Quit India Movement
Quit India Movement
The Quit India Movement , or the August Movement was a civil disobedience movement launched in India in August 1942 in response to Mohandas Gandhi's call for immediate independence. Gandhi hoped to bring the British government to the negotiating table...
of 1942. Subsequently he practised law for some years, and became politically active in the late '60s, rising through the ranks of Akali Dal. Though, he first stood for election in 1952 but lost by a meager 4 votes.
Politics
Barnala was also the party president of Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal)Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal)
Shiromani Akali Dal is a splinter group of the Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal. The party was launched on June 7, 2004. Its president is Surjit Kaur Barnala .Prem Singh Chandumajra joined it after being denied a ticked by Shiromani Akali Dal...
, but had to resign as per the rule that states that one cannot hold two offices of profit.
Barnala served as Chief Minister
Chief Minister
A Chief Minister is the elected head of government of a sub-national state, provinces of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, notably a state of India, a territory of Australia or a British Overseas Territory that has attained self-government...
of Punjab from September 29, 1985 until May 11, 1987. Barnala, a member of the Sikh political party Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal)
Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal)
Shiromani Akali Dal is a splinter group of the Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal. The party was launched on June 7, 2004. Its president is Surjit Kaur Barnala .Prem Singh Chandumajra joined it after being denied a ticked by Shiromani Akali Dal...
served as Chief Minister
Chief Minister
A Chief Minister is the elected head of government of a sub-national state, provinces of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, notably a state of India, a territory of Australia or a British Overseas Territory that has attained self-government...
during a period of terrorism in Punjab. The state had under in Barnala's chief ministership from 1985 to 1987, and after nearly two years in office, President's Rule
President's rule
President's rule is the term used in India when a state legislature is dissolved or suspended and the state is placed under direct federal rule...
was imposed.
Since then, Barnala has served as a Governor of several states. He first served as Governor of Tamil Nadu from 1990 to 1991 for about seven months. Barnala refused to recommend the dismissal of the Tamil Nadu government, and when he was later transferred as Governor of Bihar he choose to resign. He served as the lieutenant governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands from December 1990 to 18 March 1993. He was the Governor of Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand , formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Land of Gods due to the many holy Hindu temples and cities found throughout the state, some of which are among Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious places of pilgrimage and worship...
from its creation in 2000 until 2003, and Governor of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
from 2003 to 2004, and was Governor of Tamil Nadu till 31st August 2011.
In 1997 Barnala was a candidate in the election of Vice-President of India.
Barnala was elected to the Indian Parliament thrice. He served as Food, Agriculture & Rural Development minister in 1977 in the Morarji Desai Ministry. In 1998, he also served as Chemical & Fertilizers, Food & Consumer Affairs minister in the second Vajpayee Ministry. He lost the Lok Sabha elections in 1999.
Author
He has authored a book "Story of an Escape" which has been translated from English to Hindi and Urdu. His second book that was released in December 2007, is titled "My Other Two Daughters". Painting is his hobby and four exhibitions of his works have been held. The proceeds from his recent exhibitions went to charity.Barnala Family
Surjit Singh Barnala is married to Surjit Kaur Barnala. Bibi Surit kaur has recently become the President of Shriomni Akali Dal(Longowal)They have a daughter Amrit Kaur,who is married to an Army officer Maj.Adesh Pal Singh Sandhu. His son, Jasjit singh Barnala is a businessman. He runs Barnas International Pvt Ltd. Ganganjit Singh Barnala has started his political career following his father's foot steps. Their youngest son Neilinder Singh Barnala died in a car accident in 1996. They have seven grand-children.