"Towering statesman and scholar par excellence": Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pays tribute to former PM PV Narasimha Rao on his birth anniversary

In an X post, the Defence Minister wrote, "Remembering former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao Garu on his birth anniversary. He was a towering statesman and scholar par excellence.'

Union Minister Rajnath Singh noted that PV Narasimha Rao's tenure as the Prime Minister witnessed 'far-reaching economic progress'.

"His tenure as Prime Minister of India made notable contribution in far-reaching economic progress and national development," the X post read.

Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tributes to the former Prime Minister.

In a post on X, Kharge said that Rao's far-reaching economic liberalisation policies were instrumental in "catalysing an era of unprecedented national growth."

"We pay our tributes to Former Prime Minister, P. V. Narasimha Rao, on his birth anniversary. His government's far-reaching economic liberalisation policies were instrumental in catalysing an era of unprecedented national growth," Kharge said.

The Congress Chief further said that the reforms brought by Rao were pivotal in the "upliftment" and "expansion" of the middle class, and laid a foundation for a more "formidable and resilient India".

"These reforms were pivotal in the upliftment and expansion of the middle class, thereby laying a robust foundation for a more formidable and resilient India. His tenure was also distinguished by significant advancements in India's nuclear program and the initiation of several forward-thinking foreign policy endeavours, most notably the 'Look East' policy," Mallikarjun Kharge said.

"His vital role in progress and strengthening of our nation shall always be remembered," Kharge added.

Born on June 28, 1921, in Karimnagar, Telangana, and being an agriculturist and an advocate, Narasimha Rao joined politics and held some important portfolios. He was the Minister of Law and Information, 1962-64; Law and Endowments, 1964-67; Health and Medicine, 1967; and Education, 1968-71, Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Rao took over the post of the Home Minister on July 19, 1984 and was re-appointed to this post, with the additional charge of the Ministry of Planning on November 5, 1984. He was appointed as the Minister of Defence from December 31, 1984, to September 25, 1985. On September 25, 1985, he took over as the Minister of Human Resource Development.

He was India's Prime Minister from June 21, 1991, to May 16, 1996. (ANI)