Sudhakarrao Naik

Sudhakarrao Naik
सुधाकरराव नाईक
11th Chief Minister of Maharashtra
In office 25 June 1991 – 22 February 1993
Governor	C. Subramaniam P. C. Alexander
Preceded by	Sharad Pawar
Succeeded by	Sharad Pawar
16th Governor of Himachal Pradesh
In office 30 July 1994 – 17 September 1995
Preceded by	V. Ratnam (Additional Charge)
Succeeded by	Mahabir Prasad (Additional Charge)
Member of the Indian Parliament for Washim
In office 1998–1999
Preceded by	Pundlikrao Ramji Gawali
Succeeded by	Bhavana Pundlikrao Gawali
Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for Pusad
In office 1978 – 22 February 1993
Personal details
Born	(1934-08-21)21 August 1934 Gavli village in Yavatmal district
Died
Political party	Indian National Congress
Religion	Hindu

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. Born at the remote Gavli village in Yavatmal district in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, he was nephew of Mr Vasantrao Naik who was Chief Minister of Maharashtra for 11 years.

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 in 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 to 12th Lok Sabha from Washim (Lok Sabha constituency).

External links

Preceded by Sharad Pawar

Chief Minister of Maharashtra 25 June 1991 – 22 February 1993

Succeeded by Sharad Pawar