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 president of Indian National Congress, serving from 1983 to 1986.
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]
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]
