28 Facts About Krishan Kant

Krishan Kant was an Indian politician who served as the vice president of India from 1997 until his death in 2002.

Krishan Kant was a member of both houses of the Indian Parliament, representing Chandigarh in the Lok Sabha from 1977 to 1980, and Haryana in the Rajya Sabha from 1966 to 1977.

Krishan Kant was born to parents who were independence activists in Punjab, British India, and was himself arrested in Lahore during the Quit India movement.

Krishan Kant was initially associated with the Congress, but later joined the Janata Party and the Janata Dal.

Krishan Kant was considered as a candidate for the 2002 presidential election, as was routine for vice presidents.

Krishan Kant remains the only Indian vice president to have died in office.

Krishan Kant was born on 28 February 1927 in Kot Mohammad Khan, Amritsar district, Punjab province to independence activists, Lala Achint Ram and Satyavati Devi.

Krishan Kant studied chemical engineering at Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University.

Krishan Kant later worked as a scientist with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.

Krishan Kant was married to Suman Krishan Kant, a social worker and an activist.

Krishan Kant had been jailed during the Quit India movement at the age of 16, alongside his parents.

Krishan Kant was involved in the Bhoodan movement in Punjab.

In 1966, Krishan Kant was elected to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, representing the state of Haryana.

Krishan Kant chaired the parliamentary committee on railway reservations and bookings from 1972 to 1977.

Krishan Kant was a socialist and belonged to a more left-wing faction of the Congress party.

Krishan Kant was expelled from the Congress in 1975, for organising a public event opposing the Emergency, and was jailed for 19 months between 1975 and 1977.

Krishan Kant subsequently joined the Janata Party and contested the Chandigarh Lok Sabha constituency in 1977.

Krishan Kant was the founding general secretary of the People's Union for Civil Liberties in 1976.

Krishan Kant was a member of the executive council of the Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis.

In 1990, Kant was appointed governor of Andhra Pradesh by President R Venkataraman, on advice of the V P Singh government.

Krishan Kant served in the gubernatorial office for seven years.

In 1997, Krishan Kant was jointly selected as the candidate for the vice presidential election by Indian National Congress and United Front.

Krishan Kant defeated former Punjab chief minister Surjit Singh Barnala to become India's tenth vice president.

Krishan Kant was considered as a potential presidential candidate prior to the 2002 election.

On 27 July 2002, Krishan Kant was admitted to AIIMS, New Delhi and was declared dead after an hour, after suffering a heart attack.

Krishan Kant was cremated in a state funeral at Nigambodh Ghat, New Delhi, on the banks of Yamuna river on 28 July 2002.

Krishan Kant's funeral was attended by president Kalam, prime minister Vajpayee, deputy prime minister Advani, and opposition leader Sonia Gandhi.

Krishan Kant was survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren along with his mother, Satyavati Devi, who outlived him by eight years.