Kamalapati Tripathi


Kamlapati Tripathi was an Indian politician, writer, journalist, and freedom fighter. He was a senior Indian National Congress leader from Varanasi constituency. He served as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh as well as Union Minister for Railways.

Family

Kamlapati Tripathi had 3 sons and two daughters. The eldest son was Lokpati Tripathi who was also a minister in Uttar Pradesh, his second son was Mayapati Tripathi who founded the social organization by the name of Akhil Bharatiya Kissan Mazdoor Vahini. His youngest son is Manglapati Tripathi.

Early days

His father's name was Pandit Narayan Pati Tripathi. Originally he belonged to Tripathi Family of Pindi, popularly known as Pindi Tiwarys. He had no connection with Unnao or Kanpur. He belonged to Saryuparin community which essentially has roots in Trans-Saryu Area of Uttar Pradesh. His ancestors settled down in Varanasi during the time of Aurangzeb. He started his career as a journalist working for the daily Hindi newspaper Aaj and later Sansaar. He was also the editor of the two tabloids. He was married at the age of 19 and had 5 children.

Political career

Indian independence movement

During 1921, Kamalapati Tripathi participated in Non-cooperation Movement. He was also an active participant in the Civil Disobedience Movement, for which he was jailed. In 1942 he was on his way to Mumbai to participate in the Quit India Movement when he was arrested and jailed for 3 years. Kamalapati Tripathi was elected to the Constituent Assembly from United Province on Congress Party ticket and played an important part in the drafting of the Constitution of India.

Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh

He remained Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh from 4 April 1971 until 12 June 1973. His resignation was a result of the 1973 Provincial Armed Constabulary revolt.

Union Minister for Railways

He was Union Minister for Railways for two times first from 1975 to 1977 and then briefly in 1980. He presented Railway Budget of India four times: 1975–76, 1976–77, 1980–81 and 1980–81. Following trains were introduced during his tenure:
An 8-kilometer-long new Railway line between Telapur-Patanchera was opened during his tenure.
The Diesel Loco Shed in Pune was started in his tenure.

As an author

He authored following works:
Bandi Ki Chetna, 1946