UP Lok Sabha Election 2024
– Photo: Amar Ujala
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Chandrashekhar Singh, who had his own political identity from the land of rebel Ballia, was a member of the Indian Parliament for four decades. Between 1977 and 2007, he became MP eight times by winning elections from Ballia Lok Sabha seat. However, once in 1984 he had to face defeat.
He failed to penetrate the wave of sympathy in favor of Congress after the assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984. He was defeated by Jagannath Chaudhary in this election. Due to defeat, Chandrashekhar was deprived of the hat-trick of victory. Chandrashekhar belonged to a rare breed of politicians who remained committed to their socialist ideology throughout their political career.
He was a symbol of courage and strong faith. An example of this can be seen from the decisions taken by him from time to time. Chandrashekhar was initially associated with the Congress party. He was also a member of Rajya Sabha from 1962-1977. If we remove this period from his life, he always did politics of opposition to Congress.
He left Congress during the Emergency in 1977. He became known as a “vocal opponent” of Indira Gandhi. Perhaps this image of his influenced the people of the entire country including Ballia. Former Prime Minister Chandrashekhar started his political career from Ballia. However, his ancestral home is in Ibrahimpatti, which is on the border of Ballia and Mau districts.