former indian prime minister :vp singh just died

Singh, who was suffering from leukemia and renal failure, died at a New Delhi hospital. He was 77 years old.

Singh, due to be cremated on Friday, served as finance minister where he relentlessly tracked down tax evaders and later as defence minister under former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

He ultimately broke away from Gandhi and spearheaded a coalition known as the National Front which won the 1989 elections, but served as premier for less than a year.

He is best remembered for a controversial plan to sharply increase the percentage of jobs reserved for poor castes, which triggered huge unrest among upper castes.

Singh was forced to quit and the plan was shelved.