THE LEAGUE OF CONGRESS PRESIDENTS SINCE 1947
JB KRIPALANI, 1947
He was arrested in 1942 during the Quit India movement. He was elected the president of the INC in 1946
JAGJIVAN RAM, 197071
He founded two organisations through which he involved the backward classes in the freedom struggle
B PATTABHI SITARAMAYYA, 194849
He became a member of the AICC in 1916. He also became the governor of MP
SHANKAR DAYAL SHARMA, 197274
He served as the President of India and also as governors of AP, Punjab and Maharashtra
PURUSHOTTAM DAS TANDON, 1950
He was a campaigner for Hindi to be made India’s national language
DEVANKANTA BARUA, 197577
Known for his remark ‘India is Indira, Indira is India’. But later joined anti-Indira group
INDIRA GANDHI, 1959 and 197883, 1983 & 84
She became the first woman PM of India. She declared a state of emergency in 1975
RAJIV GANDHI, 1985–91
His career was tarred by sectarian bloodshed. He was assassinated in May 1991
NEELAM SANJEEVA REDDY, 1960, 1961, 196263
He was the first CM of Andhra. He also became a LS speaker and later the sixth President
PV NARASIMHA RAO, 1992–96
He was the ninth PM. Babri Masjid destruction in 1992 led to riots during his term
K KAMARAJ, 1964, 1965, 196667
He became the Madras CM in 1954. He was given the Bharat Ratna award posthumously.
SITARAM KESRI, 1996–98
He served as a Union minister in charge of many portfolios.
SIDDAVANALLI NIJALINGAPPA, 1968, 1969
He was first Karnataka CM. When INC split, he sided with faction against Indira Gandhi.
SONIA GANDHI, since 1998
She is the longest serving Cong president. Led the party to victory in 2004 LS polls