100 years of PV Narasimha Rao — the memorable tenure of an ‘accidental PM’ in pictures

With 1991 economic reforms, Narasimha Rao & Manmohan Singh steered India out of economic abyss. Rao is also credited with doing away with the Licence Raj in India.

Former Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and former PM Chandra Shekhar at Parliament House | Photo: Praveen Jain

New Delhi: Former Prime Minister Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao packed much punch in the five years he led India (1991-1996), including bringing in the landmark 1991 economic reforms with the then finance minister Manmohan Singh.

Born on 28 June 1921 in present-day Telangana, he was India’s first Prime Minister from the southern region. He emerged as the Congress’ PM candidate after the death of former PM Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated on the campaign trail.

With the economic reforms, which complete 30 years this month, Rao and Singh steered India out of economic abyss in 1991. Rao is also credited with doing away with the Licence Raj in India. Another crucial part of his legacy is shepherding India through the aftermath of the end of the Cold War.

A loyal member of the Congress all his life, Rao died on 23 December 2004, 8 months after UPA-1 came into power. However, the party refused to allow his body inside the Congress headquarters for a final farewell by party rank and file. He was eventually cremated in Hyderabad.

On his 100th birth anniversary, ThePrint’s National Photo Editor Praveen Jain brings some moments from Rao’s life, as captured by his camera over the years.

Former PM P.V. Narasimha Rao greets Congress leader Sonia Gandhi | Photo: Praveen Jain

Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao with then finance minister Manmohan Singh during their visit to Moscow in 1994 | Photo: Praveen Jain

P.V. Narasimha Rao with H.D. Deve Gowda, Inder Kumar Gujral and Chandra Shekhar at Parliament House. All four served stints as prime minister | Photo: Praveen Jain

(From left to right) Undated photo of Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sonia Gandhi, Rao and then President Giani Zail Singh at Rajiv Gandhi Samadhi | Photo: Praveen Jain

Rao and Deve Gowda | Photo: Praveen Jain

Rao with former President R. Venkataraman during a party at Hyderabad House | Photo: Praveen Jain

A rare photograph of Rao in a shirt and trousers, while leaving for Moscow | Photo: Praveen Jain

Rao with former President Shankar Dayal Sharma and former Turkey President Suleyman Demirel at a ceremonial reception | Photo: Praveen Jain

Often described as an accidental PM, Rao was set to leave Delhi just before he assumed the PM’s chair| Photo: Praveen Jain

Rao with former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah at an iftar party at Hyderabad House | Photo: Praveen Jain

Getting ready for of an interview with BBC | Photo: Praveen Jain

With Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra & Rahul Gandhi at Rajiv Gandhi Samadhi | Photo: Praveen Jain

With a gamcha wrapped around his head to guard against the sunlight; seated beside former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee | Photo: Praveen Jain

Rao with senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Shivraj Patil | Photo: Praveen Jain

Caught yawning at an event | Photo: Praveen Jain

(From left to right) Rao with Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra & Rahul Gandhi at Rajiv Gandhi Samadhi | Photo: Praveen Jain

With former Punjab CM Sardar Beant Singh at PM house| Photo: Praveen Jain

Former PMs Rao & Chandra Shekhar with Sonia Gandhi at an At-Home Reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan | Photo: Praveen Jain

With Sonia Gandhi at Teen Murti House | Photo: Praveen Jain