World

former indian prime minister :vp singh just died

by freooguy | November 27, 2008 at 11:27 am

271 views | 5 Recommendations | 2 comments

more sad news from india:india 10th prime minister just died in delhi from blood cancer and renal failure he was 77.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Rachel Nixon

at 11:34 on November 27th, 2008

Thanks for posting. Here's some more info from AFP:

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.