Atal Bihari Vajpayee


Vajpayee was born 25 Dec, 1926 in Marya Pradesh state. His early education and training was as a journalist. He participated in the struggle for Indian independence but was not prominent. In 1950 he ran for a seat in the Indian Parliament, but was unsuccessful. In 1951 he became a founding member of the Hindu-oriented Bharatiya Jana Sangh party, and in 1957 was elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India's parliament, where he served three terms.	Sapience Home Site map About Sapience Personal studies Biography
In 1962 he served a term in the upper house of Parliament, and about 1968 was reelected to the Lok Sabha. In 1975 he was imprisoned for opposing Indira Gandhi's declaration of a state of emergency, but was shortly released. In 1978 he became head of the Bharatiya Janata Party. In 1986 he served again in the upper house. In 1992 he resumed his position in the Lok Sabha, and in 1996 his party achieved a plurality there, and he became Prime Minister. However, he was unable to form a governing coalition and resigned after 13 days. In 1998 his party achieved a majority and he again became Prime Minister.

Vajpayee was born 25 Dec, 1926 in Marya Pradesh state. His early education and training was as a journalist.

He participated in the struggle for Indian independence but was not prominent. In 1950 he ran for a seat in the Indian Parliament, but was unsuccessful. In 1951 he became a founding member of the Hindu-oriented Bharatiya Jana Sangh party, and in 1957 was elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India's parliament, where he served three terms.

In 1962 he served a term in the upper house of Parliament, and about 1968 was reelected to the Lok Sabha. In 1975 he was imprisoned for opposing Indira Gandhi's declaration of a state of emergency, but was shortly released. In 1978 he became head of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

In 1986 he served again in the upper house. In 1992 he resumed his position in the Lok Sabha, and in 1996 his party achieved a plurality there, and he became Prime Minister. However, he was unable to form a governing coalition and resigned after 13 days. In 1998 his party achieved a majority and he again became Prime Minister.