Lalji Tandon

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Lalji Tandon

| image = The Governor of Bihar, Shri Lalji Tandon in New Delhi on August 28, 2018 (cropped).JPG

| imagesize = 220

| smallimage =

| alt =

| caption = Tandon in 2018

| office = Governor of Madhya Pradesh

| term_start = 29 July 2019

| term_end = 1 July 2020

| predecessor = Anandiben Patel

| successor = Anandiben Patel
{{small|(additional charge)}}

| 1blankname = Chief Minister

| 1namedata = Kamal Nath
Shivraj Singh Chouhan

| office1 = Governor of Bihar

| term_start1 = 23 August 2018

| term_end1 = 28 July 2019

| predecessor1 = Satya Pal Malik

| successor1 = Phagu Chauhan

| 1blankname1 = Chief Minister

| 1namedata1 = Nitish Kumar

| office2 = Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha

| term_start2 = 16 May 2009

| term_end2 = 16 May 2014

| predecessor2 = Atal Bihari Vajpayee

| successor2 = Rajnath Singh

| constituency2 = Lucknow

| office3 = Leader of the Opposition
Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly

| term_start3 = 7 September 2003

| term_end3 = 13 May 2007

| 1blankname3 = Chief Minister

| 1namedata3 = Mulayam Singh Yadav

| predecessor3 = Swami Prasad Maurya

| successor3 = Mulayam Singh Yadav

| office4 = Minister of Urban Development & Housing
Government of Uttar Pradesh

| term_start4 = 3 May 2002

| term_end4 = 29 August 2003

| 1blankname4 = Chief Minister

| 1namedata4 = Mayawati

| successor4 = Azam Khan

| term_start5 = 21 March 1997

| term_end5 = 8 March 2002

| 1blankname5 = Chief Minister

| 1namedata5 = Mayawati
Kalyan Singh
Ram Prakash Gupta
Rajnath Singh

| predecessor5 = Rama Shankar Kaushik

| office6 = Minister of Power
Government of Uttar Pradesh

| term_start6 = 24 June 1991

| term_end6 = 6 December 1992

| 1blankname6 = Chief Minister

| 1namedata6 = Kalyan Singh

| office7 = Leader of the House
Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council

| term_start7 = 18 January 1998

| term_end7 = 6 March 2002

| 1blankname7 = Chief Minister

| 1namedata7 = Kalyan Singh
Ram Prakash Gupta
Rajnath Singh

| predecessor7 = R. K. Chaudhary

| successor7 = Swami Prasad Maurya

| term_start8 = 3 July 1991

| term_end8 = 5 December 1992

| 1blankname8 = Chief Minister

| 1namedata8 = Kalyan Singh

| predecessor8 = Rama Shankar Kaushik

| successor8 = Rama Shankar Kaushik

| office9 = Member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly

| term_start9 = 1996

| term_end9 = 2009

| predecessor9 = Ram Kumar Shukla

| successor9 = Shyam Kishore Shukla

| constituency9 = Lucknow West

| office10 = Member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council

| term_start10 = 1990

| term_end10 = 1996

| constituency10 = elected by Legislative Assembly members

| term_start11 = 1978

| term_end11 = 1984

| constituency11 = elected by Legislative Assembly members

| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1935|04|12}}

| birth_place = Lucknow, United Provinces, British India

| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2020|7|21|1935|04|12}}{{cite news |title=Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon, on Ventilator Support for Days, Passes Away at 85 |url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/mp-governor-lalji-tandon-on-ventilator-support-for-days-passes-away-at-85-2726079.html |access-date=16 March 2022 |work=News18 |date=21 July 2020 |language=en}}

| death_place = Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

| birthname =

| nationality =

| party = Bharatiya Janta Party

| otherparty =

| spouse = {{Marriage|Krishna Tandon|1958}}

| partner =

| relations =

| children = 3; including Ashutosh

| residence =

| alma_mater = Kalicharan Degree College, Lucknow University

| occupation =

| profession =

| source = http://164.100.47.193/Loksabha/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4283&lastls=15

}}

Lalji Tandon (12 April 1935{{spnd}}21 July 2020) was an Indian politician who served as the 18th Governor of Madhya Pradesh and 28th Governor of Bihar. He had also served as a member of parliament from 1996 until 2014 and as the Leader of the Opposition of the Legislative Assembly of Uttar Pradesh from 2003 until 2007. He was a member of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a protégé of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2009/feb/27lalji-tandon-is-bjps-ls-candidate-from-lucknow.htm|title=Lalji Tandon was BJP's LS candidate from Lucknow|date=27 February 2009|website=Rediff.com|accessdate=9 December 2018}}

Early life

Tandon was born in Chowk village in Lucknow, United Provinces, British India to Shivnarayan Tandon and Annpurna Devi. He graduated from Kalicharan Degree College.{{cite news |title=Lucknow: MP Governor Lalji Tandon, UP CM Yogi Adityanath inaugurate new building of Kalicharan College |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/lucknow-mp-governor-lalji-tandon-up-cm-yogi-adityanath-inaugurate-new-building-of-kalicharan-college-119102301282_1.html |accessdate=7 January 2020 |work=Business Standard India |date=23 October 2019}}{{cite news |title=Lucknow: MP Governor Lalji Tandon, UP CM Yogi Adityanath inaugurate new building of Kalicharan College |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/lucknow-mp-governor-lalji-tandon-up-cm-yogi-adityanath-inaugurate-new-building-of-kalicharan-college20191023191923/ |accessdate=7 January 2020 |work=ANI |date=23 October 2019 |language=en}} Tandon married Krishna Tandon on 26 February 1958, with whom he had three sons.{{cite web |title=Detailed Profile: Shri Lal Ji Tandon |url=https://archive.india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=4283 |accessdate=21 July 2019 |work=Govt of India}}

Career

Tandon was a member of Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Parishad (Legislative Council) for two terms, from 1978 until 1984 and remained the Leader of the House, of the Council from 1990 to 1996. Subsequently, he remained a member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) for three terms, 1996–2009, and remained the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly from 2003 to 2007.{{cite news | first=Pankoj |last=Shah | date=22 July 2020 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/tandon-atals-man-friday-passes-away/articleshow/77097938.cms | title=Lalji Tandon, Atal Bihari Vajpayee's man Friday, passes away | work=The Times of India | accessdate=22 July 2020}} He had also served as Urban Development minister in the Uttar Pradesh cabinet under Mayawati (in the BSP-BJP alliance), and also in the Kalyan Singh ministry earlier.{{cite web | url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/lalji-tandon-a-bjp-veteran-who-dominated-uttar-pradesh-political-landscape/1899380 | title=Lalji Tandon: A BJP veteran who dominated Uttar Pradesh political landscape | publisher=Outlook | date=21 July 2020 | accessdate=22 July 2020}}

Tandon was the leader of opposition in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly from 2003 to 2007.{{Cite web|url=https://governor.mp.gov.in/honorable-governor.aspx|title =Profile of The Hon'ble Governor of Madhya Pradesh |website=governor.mp.gov.in |access-date=4 April 2022}}

On his birthday in April 2004, he was distributing free saris to poor women when a stampede broke out, killing 21 people.{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/election/2004/apr/12up.htm|title=UP stampede toll 21, PM rushing to Lucknow|website=Rediff.com|date=12 April 2004|accessdate=8 December 2018}} He was cleared of wrongdoing in this matter.{{cite web | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/tandon-gets-clean-chit-in-saree-stampede-case/story-IJGtEtMD1HLMDBqYrXJO8N.html | title=Tandon gets clean chit in saree stampede case | publisher=Hindustan Times | date=8 April 2007 | accessdate=22 July 2020}}

In May 2009, he was elected to the 15th Lok Sabha from Lucknow by a margin over 40,000 votes over Rita Bahuguna Joshi of Indian National Congress. The seat was earlier held by former BJP President Atal Bihari Vajpayee since 1991 for four consecutive terms. Despite enormous electoral spending, Akhilesh Das of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) polled third, trailing by 70,000 votes.{{cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/lalji-tandon-defeats-rita-bahuguna-joshi-in-lucknow-109051600259_1.html|title=Lalji Tandon defeats Rita Bahuguna Joshi in Lucknow|newspaper=Business Standard|date=16 May 2009|accessdate=8 December 2018|agency=Press Trust of India}}

As a Governor of Bihar, he was praised for streamlining academic activities of the state universities.{{cite news |last1=Verma |first1=Kumod |title=Lalji Tandon praised for role in streamlining universities |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/tandon-praised-for-role-in-streamlining-universities/articleshow/70320652.cms |accessdate=22 July 2019 |work=The Times of India |date=22 July 2019 |language=en}}

On 20 July 2019, he was appointed the 18th Governor of Madhya Pradesh, replacing Anandiben Patel.{{cite news |title=लालजी टंडन मध्य प्रदेश के गवर्नर होंगे, आनंदीबेन उत्तर प्रदेश की राज्यपाल बनाई गईं |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/national/news/governor-anandiben-patel-lal-ji-tandon-jagdeep-dhankhar-ramesh-bais-governor-of-mp-west-be-01599115.html |accessdate=21 July 2019 |work=Dainik Bhaskar |date=20 July 2019 |language=hi}}{{cite news |last1=PTI |title=Anandiben Patel made UP governor, Lal ji Tandon to replace her in Madhya Pradesh |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/anandiben-patel-made-up-governor-lal-ji-tandon-to-replace-her-in-madhya-pradesh-1571562-2019-07-20 |accessdate=20 July 2019 |work=India Today |date=20 July 2019 |language=en}}

Other works

In 2018, Tandon wrote a book Ankaha Lucknow which was launched by the Vice-President of India Venkaiah Naidu.{{Cite news|title=बिना कहे सब कुछ कह देते हैं टंडन- नायडू {{!}} Venkaiah Naidu releases book of Lalji Tandon|url=https://www.patrika.com/lucknow-news/venkaiah-naidu-releases-book-of-lalji-tandon-ankaha-lucknow-2859674/|access-date=11 December 2021|work=Patrika|language=hi-IN |date=26 May 2018}}

Death

Tandon died on 21 July 2020 at Medanta Hospital, Lucknow, from Covid-19, at the age of 85. His son Ashutosh Tandon announced his death.{{Cite web|url=https://indtoday.com/madhya-pradesh-governor-lal-ji-tandon-dies/|title=Madhya Pradesh Governor Lal Ji Tandon Dies | INDToday|date=21 July 2020}}

Legacy

Lalji Tandon Foundation was formed in October 2020. This foundation will be chaired by Gopal Tandon and will implement public services.{{Cite web|date=8 October 2020|title=लालजी टण्डन फाउंडेशन का हुआ गठन, गोपाल टण्डन बने अध्यक्ष|url=https://newstrack.com/uttar-pradesh/lalji-tandon-foundation-formed-gopal-tandon-becomes-president-lucknow-up-688889.html|access-date=12 October 2020|website=Newstrack|language=en}}

In July 2020, two roads in Uttar Pradesh were proposed to be named after Tandon.{{cite news |title=Two roads to be named after Lalji Tandon in Uttar Pradesh |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/2-roads-to-be-named-after-lalji-tandon/articleshow/77160210.cms |access-date=9 December 2020 |work=The Times of India |date=25 July 2020}} In December 2020, in another proposal, a boxing hall bearing the name of Tandon is to be built in Chowk Stadium, Lucknow.{{cite news |title=लालजी टंडन के नाम पर होगा चौक स्टेडियम में बन रहा बॉक्सिंग हॉल, जल्‍द होगा लोकार्पण |url=https://www.timesnowhindi.com/lucknow/article/boxing-hall-to-be-built-in-chowk-stadium-in-the-name-of-lalji-tandon/324992 |access-date=9 December 2020 |work=Times Now |date=8 December 2020 |language=hi}}

Chancellor’s award to provide fillip to ‘best’ colleges, universities started by Chancellor Lalji Tandon. {{Cite news |last=Mishra |first=B. K. |date=12 November 2021 |title=Chancellor's award to provide fillip to 'best' colleges, universities|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/chancellors-award-to-provide-fillip-to-best-colleges-universities/articleshow/87652521.cms |access-date=12 November 2021 |work=The Times of India|language=en}}

Rajnath Singh unveiled statue of Lalji Tandon on his first death anniversary in Lucknow in July 2021. {{Cite news|title=Rajnath Singh unveils statue of Lalji Tandon on his first death anniversary in Lucknow|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/rajnath-gandhi-unveils-statue-of-lalji-tandon-on-his-first-death-anniversary-in-lucknow20210721212434/|access-date=11 December 2021|work=ANI News|date=21 July 2021}} Another statue was unveiled by Yogi Adityanath on Tandon's birth anniversary in Apr 2023.{{Cite news |date=12 April 2023 |title=Lucknow में लालजी टंडन की जयंती समारोह में पहुंचे CM Yogi, प्रतिमा का किया अनावरण |trans-title=CM Yogi arrived at the birth anniversary celebrations of Lalji Tandon in Lucknow, unveiled the statue |url=https://www.abplive.com/videos/states/cm-yogi-arrived-at-the-birth-anniversary-celebrations-of-lalji-tandon-in-lucknow-unveiled-the-statue-up-news-2381413 |access-date=31 July 2023 |work=ABP News |language=hi}}

On 25 July 2023, Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharakwal inaugurated the Lalji Tandon Multipurpose Hall{{Cite news |title=Multipurpose hall comes up at Atal Sports Centre |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/multipurpose-hall-comes-up-at-atal-sports-centre/articleshow/102094620.cms |date=25 July 2023 |access-date=31 July 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}