| Surjit Singh Barnala | |
|---|---|
| Governor of Tamil Nadu | |
| In office November 3, 2004 – August 31,2011 |
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| Preceded by | P. S. Ramamohan Rao |
| Succeeded by | Konijeti Rosaiah |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 21, 1925 Ateli, Haryana, India |
| Political party | Shiromani Akali Dal |
| Spouse(s) | Surjit kaur barnala |
| Religion | Sikhism |
Surjit Singh Barnala (Punjabi: ਸੁਰਜੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਬਰਨਾਲਾ; born October 21, 1925) is an Indian politician from Punjab. During his career in Indian politics, he has been Governor of four states, Chief Minister of Punjab, a minister in the union cabinet twice and a vice-presidential candidate once.
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Barnala was born in Ateli village, which was then part of Nabha, Punjab state. Born of a well-to-do family (his father was a magistrate), Barnala passed Law from Lucknow University in 1946. In Lucknow, he was involved in the Quit India Movement of 1942. Subsequently he practised law for some years, and became politically active in the late '60s, rising through the ranks of Akali Dal. Though, he first stood for election in 1952 but lost by a meager 4 votes.
Barnala was also the party president of Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal), but had to resign as per the rule that states that one cannot hold two offices of profit.
Barnala served as Chief Minister of Punjab from September 29, 1985 until May 11, 1987. Barnala, a member of the Sikh political party Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal) served as Chief Minister during a period of terrorism in Punjab. The state had under in Barnala's chief ministership from 1985 to 1987, and after nearly two years in office, President's Rule was imposed.
Since then, Barnala has served as a Governor of several states. He first served as Governor of Tamil Nadu from 1990 to 1991 for about seven months. Barnala refused to recommend the dismissal of the Tamil Nadu government, and when he was later transferred as Governor of Bihar he choose to resign. He served as the lieutenant governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands from December 1990 to 18 March 1993. He was the Governor of Uttarakhand from its creation in 2000 until 2003, and Governor of Andhra Pradesh from 2003 to 2004, and was Governor of Tamil Nadu till 31st August 2011.
In 1997 Barnala was a candidate in the election of Vice-President of India.
Barnala was elected to the Indian Parliament thrice. He served as Food, Agriculture & Rural Development minister in 1977 in the Morarji Desai Ministry. In 1998, he also served as Chemical & Fertilizers, Food & Consumer Affairs minister in the second Vajpayee Ministry. He lost the Lok Sabha elections in 1999.
He has authored a book "Story of an Escape" which has been translated from English to Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. His second book that was released in December 2007, is titled "My Other Two Daughters". Painting is his hobby and four exhibitions of his works have been held. The proceeds from his recent exhibitions went to charity.[1]
Surjit Singh Barnala is married to Surjit Kaur Barnala. Bibi Surit kaur has recently become the President of Shriomni Akali Dal(Longowal)[2]
They have a daughter Amrit Kaur,who is married to an Army officer Maj.Adesh Pal Singh Sandhu. His son, Jasjit singh Barnala is a businessman. He runs Barnas International Pvt Ltd. Ganganjit Singh Barnala has started his political career following his father's foot steps. Their youngest son Neilinder Singh Barnala died in a car accident in 1996. They have seven grand-children.
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ranjit Singh Dayal |
Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands 1990–1993 |
Succeeded by Vakkom Purushothaman |
| Preceded by C. Rangarajan |
Governor of Andhra Pradesh 2003-2004 |
Succeeded by Sushil Kumar Shinde |
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