Harihar Singh
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Contents |
Early life
Family background
Harihar Singh was born in Buxar district, Bihar, into a Rajput family. The Rajputs are traditionally associated with landowning and martial roles in Bihar’s rural social order. His family background was rooted in agricultural society and also known for its involvement in regional politics.lifehist+1
Education
Singh received his education locally before entering public life. Highly regarded in literary circles, he became known not just as a politician but also as a Bhojpuri writer and poet, contributing significantly to the popularization of regional literature in Bihar.lifehist
Political beginnings
Harihar Singh’s political career began with his election as MLA from Dumraon constituency in 1952 on a Congress ticket. After being denied a Congress ticket in the 1957 elections, he contested as an independent but lost. Later, in 1962, Singh ran on a Swatantra Party ticket from Rajauli, meeting defeat again. He served as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) from 1960 to 1966.yadavhistory+1
His persistence paid off when he won Dumraon as an independent in 1967, and he soon rejoined the Congress before mid-term polls in 1969. Singh was able to navigate with flexibility between parties, responding to the rapidly shifting landscape of Bihar politics in the 1960s.lifehist
Role in coalition politics and leadership
Singh was closely allied with BP Mandal, joining the Shoshit Dal to help bring down the coalition government of Mahamaya Prasad Sinha and even serving as Agriculture Minister in Mandal’s administration. This displayed his capacity for coalition-building and cross-party negotiation—a vital skill in Bihar’s fragmented party order.yadavhistory+1
Chief Ministership: Coalition Government and Collapse
After the unsuccessful stint of Bhola Paswan Shastri as Chief Minister and a prolonged period of President’s Rule, fresh elections in February 1969 yielded a hung assembly. Congress, fractured by internal disputes and factionalism, won only 118 seats out of 318. Singh was elected leader of the Congress Legislative Party and became Chief Minister on February 25, 1969, leading a coalition supported by the Shoshit Dal, Janata Party (Raja Kamakhya Narain Singh), Swatantra Party, and others.lifehist
He took oath during a phase of deep instability, with key Congress figures denied tickets and multiple rival factions operating. Cabinet formation was delayed due to disagreement over partners and portfolios. A faction led by Daroga Prasad Rai objected to the induction of Raja Kamakhya Narain Singh due to legal controversies, prompting intervention by the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and the removal of the Raja from the Cabinet. This ongoing strife meant many ministers never received their official portfolios before the government collapsed.lifehist
Downfall and later career
On June 20, 1969, grants for the Animal Husbandry Department were defeated 164-143 in the Assembly. Singh resigned the same day, the government falling before portfolios had even been allocated to many ministers—a rare occurrence in legislative history.lifehist He witnessed the crucial Congress split at the national level only days after losing power, further highlighting the period’s instability.
Harihar Singh continued to exert influence in state politics through literary pursuits, public engagement, and mentoring family involved in later governments.
Family and legacy
Singh’s family has continued his public legacy. His son, Amrendra Pratap Singh, is a minister in Nitish Kumar’s outgoing government and has represented Arrah. Another son, Mrigendra Pratap Singh, was an MLA in Jharkhand and also served as a minister there.yadavhistory+1
Harihar Singh passed away in March 1994. He is remembered for his coalition-building skills, literary achievements, and his unique tenure as Chief Minister, marked by attempts to broker peace and stability in an era of extreme political fragmentation.
