Sikander Bakht, Politician
Politician

Sikander Bakht

Born 24 August 1918 · Delhi — Died 23 February 2004

Serving as the 15th governor of Kerala from 2002 until his death in 2004.

Sikander Bakht was an Indian politician belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who served as the 15th governor of Kerala from 2002 until his death. He was elected as the Vice President of the BJP, served as its leader in the Rajya Sabha, and as a cabinet minister in the NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In 2000, he was awarded Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour of the Government of India.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

Sikander Bakht once captained the Independents Hockey Club and represented Delhi University in hockey before fully committing to politics.

The Story

1
In 1952, Sikander Bakht was elected to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi as a Congress candidate, marking his entry into active politics in the capital city.
2
🌟 During the 1975 Emergency declared by Indira Gandhi, Bakht was imprisoned in Rohtak Jail from June 1975 to December 1976 alongside other opposition leaders, an event that shaped his political resolve.
3In March 1977, he won the Lok Sabha seat from Chandni Chowk as a Janata Party candidate and was appointed Cabinet Minister for Works, Housing, Supply and Rehabilitation under Prime Minister Morarji Desai.
4By 1984, Bakht had shifted to the Bharatiya Janata Party, becoming its Vice President, reflecting his evolving political affiliations during a turbulent party landscape.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

In 1975, Sikander Bakht was imprisoned in Rohtak Jail for over eighteen months during the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi, reflecting his active opposition to authoritarian rule.

🖼️

Through the Years

1 photograph from the archives
Sikander Bakht receiving homage from Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi (2004)
Sikander Bakht receiving homage from Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi (2004)
2004

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Quresh Nagar, Delhi
Sikander Bakht was born in Quresh Nagar, Delhi, setting the stage for his lifelong connection to the capital.
1918
🕊️
Birth
Born in Quresh Nagar, Delhi
Sikander Bakht was born in Quresh Nagar, Delhi, beginning life in a city that would frame his future political career.
1918
⚡
Career
Elected to Municipal Corporation of Delhi
Bakht entered politics as a Congress candidate elected to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
1952
⚡
Career
Elected to Municipal Corporation of Delhi
Bakht won his first elected office as a Congress candidate to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
1952
⚡
Career
Imprisoned during Emergency
Upon Emergency declaration, Bakht was jailed in Rohtak until December 1976.
1975
⚡
Career
Imprisoned during Emergency
On the day Emergency was imposed, Bakht was arrested and jailed in Rohtak until December 1976.
1975
⚡
Career
Elected to Lok Sabha from Chandni Chowk
As a Janata Party candidate, Bakht won the Chandni Chowk seat and became a Cabinet Minister.
1977
⚡
Career
Elected to Lok Sabha from Chandni Chowk
Bakht won as a Janata Party candidate and joined Morarji Desai's cabinet as Minister for Works, Housing, Supply and Rehabilitation.
1977
⚡
Career
Became BJP Vice President
Bakht was appointed Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
1984
⚡
Career
Elected to Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh
Transitioning to the upper house, Bakht was elected to Rajya Sabha and later became Leader of Opposition in 1992.
1990
⚡
Career
Elected to Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh
Bakht entered the Rajya Sabha and later became Leader of Opposition.
1990
⚡
Career
Reelected to Rajya Sabha
Bakht secured another term from Madhya Pradesh, continuing his parliamentary presence.
1996
⚡
Career
Minister of External and Urban Affairs
In Vajpayee's first cabinet, Bakht briefly held two key ministerial posts.
1996
⚡
Career
Minister of External and Urban Affairs
In Vajpayee’s first ministry, Bakht held dual portfolios, albeit briefly.
1996
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Vibhushan
The Government of India honored Bakht with the Padma Vibhushan for his public service.
2000
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Vibhushan
Bakht received India’s second highest civilian award for his political service.
2000
⚡
Career
Appointed Governor of Kerala
Bakht was sworn in as the 15th Governor of Kerala, serving until his death in 2004.
2002
⚡
Career
Appointed Governor of Kerala
Bakht became the 15th Governor of Kerala, serving until his death in 2004.
2002
🕊️
Death
Passed away as Kerala Governor
Sikander Bakht died in office while serving as Governor of Kerala.
2004
🕊️
Death
Death in office
Sikander Bakht passed away while serving as Governor of Kerala.
2004
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 10
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Despite his association with the BJP, Bakht consistently emphasized that India is a land of secularism and supported its ethos throughout his life.

02 / 10
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

Bakht was imprisoned for over 18 months during the Emergency, held specifically in Rohtak Jail from June 1975 to December 1976, a key period for opposition leaders.

03 / 10
👤PERSONAL

Before politics, Bakht was a keen hockey player and captained the Independents Hockey Club representing Delhi University, illustrating his leadership outside political arenas.

No quote recorded for Sikander Bakht yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Sikander Bakht | Politician & Former Governor | General Elections 1991
·YouTube
More from this archive
Sikander Bakht | Politician & Former Governor | General Elections 1991
01
Sikander Bakht | Politician & Former Governor | General Elections 1991
YouTube
Sikander Bakht, Surjit Singh, George Fernandes take oath as Union Ministers in 1998
02
Sikander Bakht, Surjit Singh, George Fernandes take oath as Union Ministers in 1998
YouTube
In Focus Sikandar Bakht
03
In Focus Sikandar Bakht
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Sikander Bakht's political career spanned crucial phases of India's democracy, from Emergency imprisonment to key ministerial roles in the Vajpayee government, influencing urban development and industrial policies. His leadership in the BJP's Rajya Sabha wing helped shape the party's parliamentary strategy during the 1990s, embedding secular values within a party often perceived otherwise. His tenure as Kerala's governor until his death symbolized his wide acceptance across political divides.

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