PV Narasimha Rao, who served as Prime Minister of India from 1991-1996 after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, had a heart attack two weeks ago; He died today at age 83.<\/p>\n\n
PV Narasimha Rao was the first Indian leader outside the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty to complete a full five-year term.<\/blockquote>\n\nBut his tenure was marred by the destruction of an ancient mosque in the city of Ayodhya by Hindu nationalists in 1992.<\/blockquote>\n\nThe demolition of the mosque led to widespread riots between Hindus and Muslims across India in which several thousand people were killed. Bitter religious divisions exist to this day. <\/blockquote>\n\nMr Rao also has the unwelcome distinction of being the first Indian prime minister to be convicted of corruption.<\/blockquote>\n\nHis conviction was later overturned. Rao is also remembered for his economic policies;<\/p>\n\n
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who served as Mr Rao’s finance minister, said he would be remembered as the father of India’s economic reforms.<\/blockquote>\n\nMr Singh, an economist, was brought into politics by Mr Rao to tackle a balance of payments crisis. <\/blockquote>\n\nThey are credited with opening up the Indian economy, now one of the world’s fastest growing, after years of socialist controls.<\/blockquote>\n\nBBC NEWS<\/a>: Ex-Indian PM Narasimha Rao dies<\/p>\n\n
CNN International<\/a>: Former India PM Rao dead at 83<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PV Narasimha Rao, who served as Prime Minister of India from 1991-1996 after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, had a heart attack two weeks ago; He died today at age 83. PV Narasimha Rao was the first Indian leader outside … Continue reading