LAL BAHADUR SHASTRI

It was Nehru's desire that Lal Bahadur should continue as minister. But he did not agree. He insisted on giving up office. Nehru had to agree. Lal Bahadur never thought that the country could not survive if he was not a minister. Besides, power never went to head and corrupted him.

But he could not remain out of government for long. Five months after he resigned Nehru's health began to fail. Those that wanted to destroy the unity of the country were gaining ground. They created trouble by setting up some Muslims of Kashmir against India. A man with the firmness and magic hand of Lal Bahadur Shastri was needed to handle the situation. So Nehru invited Shastriji to join his cabinet again. This time he served as a Minister without Portfolio.