Morarji Desai was the first Indian Prime Minister to voluntarily resign from office. He took over as the head of government in 1977, leading the Janata Party coalition that came to power after the historic defeat of Indira Gandhi’s Congress following the Emergency. His tenure, though lasting only until 1979, was marked by the revival of democratic institutions and restoration of civil liberties. However, deep-rooted ideological rifts within the Janata coalition led to its collapse, and when Charan Singh withdrew support, Desai stepped down with dignity, setting a democratic precedent for leadership accountability.

Born on February 29, 1896, in Bhadeli village, Gujarat, Morarji Desai began his public service as a Deputy Collector in Bombay Province. Resigning in 1930 to join the freedom struggle, he became a prominent figure in India’s political landscape. In 1937, he served as Minister for Revenue, Agriculture, Forests, and Co-operatives in the Bombay Presidency. Post-Independence, he held several key roles: Chief Minister of Bombay in 1952, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry in 1956, and Finance Minister from 1958. In 1967, he became Deputy Prime Minister under Indira Gandhi. A lifelong follower of Gandhian principles, Desai lived a disciplined and austere life and passed away on April 10, 1995, at the age of 99, remembered for his unwavering integrity and administrative rigor.