Preceded by Sharad Pawar Died May 10, 2001, Mumbai Religion Hindu Party Indian National Congress | Name Sudhakarrao Naik Succeeded by Sharad Pawar Role Indian Politician | |
Governor C. Subramaniam
P. C. Alexander Preceded by V. Ratnam (Additional Charge) Preceded by Pundlikrao Ramji Gawali Born 21 August 1934
Gavli village in Yavatmal district ( 1934-08-21 ) Political party Indian National Congress | ||
Sudhakarrao Rajusing Naik (21 August 1934 – 10 May 2001) was an Indian politician from Indian National Congress party who served as Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 25 June 1991 until 22 February 1993 following the communal riots in the aftermath of 1993 Bombay Bombings.
Contents
Personal life
He was born at the remote Yawali village near Chapdoh dam, 3 km from Karegaon on Karegaon-Ramnagar-Yawali link road off Yavatmal-Ghatanji State highway MH SH 237, in the Yavatmal district in the southern Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. He is the brother of MLA of Maharashtra Manohar Naik and nephew of former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Vasantrao Naik.
Career
He started his political career from his rural base as Sarpanch or village head. He was Member of Legislative Assembly for Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha from Pusad (Vidhan Sabha constituency) 5 times winning elections of 1978, 1980, 1985, 1990 and 1999 elections. He was the Chief Minister during the Mumbai riots of 1992–1993, and he did not do anything to stop the riots
He became the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on 25 June 1991. His tenure was notorious for the "severe failure" to control the Bombay Riots. The Justice Srikrishna Commission blames the "effete political leadership" of the Congress(I) Government headed by Sudhakarrao Naik and the police force, whose "built-in bias" against Muslims "became more pronounced with murderous attacks on the constabulary and officers." The commission held that Sudhakarrao Naik "failed to act promptly and effectively and give clear-cut directives.".
Mr Naik's tenure as Chief Minister was also noted for his attempt to destroy the clout of the Mumbai Underworld and bring them under the aegis of the law. He arrested the well-known gangsters Pappu Kalani, MLA from Ulhasnagar, and Bhai Thakur (elder brother of gangster-MLA Hitendra Thakur, and he started to destroy their money and muscle power.
However, politically, his differences with Sharad Pawar grew, and ultimately he had to resign. At one point, Sudhakarrao made a statement that Sharad Pawar had asked him to "go easy on Pappu Kalani".
He is also remembered for his work in water conservation.
He served as governor of Himachal Pradesh from 30 July 1994 to 17 September 1995. In 1998, he was elected as Member of parliament to the 12th Lok Sabha from Washim (Lok Sabha constituency).