Jai Bihari Lal Khachi

Jai Bihari Lal Khachi or J.B.L Khachi (5 May 1927 – 10 April 2002) was an Indian politician from Kumarsain in Shimla District of Himachal Pradesh, India. He was a former cabinet minister of Himachal Pradesh and a member of the Indian National Congress.

Jai Bihari Lal Khachi
Minister for Public Works, government of Himachal Pradesh
In office 3 December 1993 – 23 March 1998
Chief minister	Virbhadra Singh
Minister for Co-operation and Transport, Government of Himachal Pradesh
In office 16 March 1989 – 5 March 1990
Chief Minister	Virbhadra Singh
Minister for Co-operation, Planning and Implementation of the 20-Point Programme, Government of Himachal Pradesh
In office 8 April 1983 – 8 March 1985
Chief Minister	Virbhadra Singh
Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly
In office 1998–2002
Preceded by	Himself
Succeeded by	Vidya Stokes
Constituency	Kumarsain
In office 1993–1998
Preceded by	Bhagat Ram Chauhan
Succeeded by	Himself
Constituency	Kumarsain
In office 1985–1990
Preceded by	Himself
Succeeded by	Bhagat Ram Chauhan
Constituency	Kumarsain
In office 1982–1985
Preceded by	Bhaskera Nand
Succeeded by	Himself
Constituency	Kumarsain
In office 1972–1977
Preceded by	Ram Dayal
Succeeded by	Bhaskera Nand
Constituency	Kumarsain
In office 1967–1972
Preceded by	Nek Ram Negi
Succeeded by	Lal Chand Stokes
Constituency	Theog
Personal details
Born	5 May 1927 Kumarsain, Punjab, British India (now in Himachal Pradesh, India)
Died	10 April 2002(2002-04-10) (aged 74) Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
Cause of death	Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Nationality	Indian
Political party	Indian National Congress
Alma mater	University of Delhi
Occupation	Politician

Khachi is believed to be one of the greatest leaders in the post independence political history of Himachal Pradesh. He was famous for his ability to form instant bond with his audience and followers as he delivered all his speeches in native language. He was also known for having close relationships with various leaders, irrespective of their party affiliations and was always praised for his astounding sense of humor and acumen by followers as well as opponents.

The congress party in Himachal Pradesh got a great revive under his dynamic leadership and this made him rise to the most powerful political circles of the state. He was known as Master Strategist and Chanakya of Himachal Pradesh politics.[1] A government school in his native town of Kumarsain is also named after him, as a token of honor and appreciation for the work he had done for the state.[2]

Early life

J.B.L Khachi was born on 5 May 1927 at Ghumana village of Kumharsain tehsil in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. His father, Hira Nand Khachi, was a man of progressive views and was very disciplined.[3] He gave him the best education and social values. Khachi was directly impacted by the adverse circumstances of the British Raj, but through sheer hardwork and dedication, he overcome all hurdles and became a Law graduate from Lahore. He then pursued his further studies from the University of Delhi.

Political career

Right from Khachi's student days, he was extremely popular amongst his friends and had an active interest in political matters. Upon completion of his studies, he returned to Himachal Pradesh and join the co-operative movement in the state. He contest his first two elections of Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 1967 and 1972 as Independent candidate and in both he won. Thereafter he joined Indian National Congress in 1977 and continued to remain loyal to his party till his death in 2002. He was elected 6 times as MLA, one time from Theog constituency in 1967 and 5 times from Kumarsain constituency in 1972, 1982, 1985, 1993 and 1998.[4][5] He also remained 3 times minister in Virbhadra Singh's cabinet.[6]

From left to right: Rajiv Gandhi, Virbhadra Singh, Sat Mahajan (in back), Jai Bihari Lal Khachi and Thakur Ram Lal during Rajiv Gandhi's visit to Shimla

J.B.L Khachi and Thakur Sen Negi founded Himachal Pradesh Lok Raj Party (LRP) in 1967. LRP contested the 1971 Lok Sabha elections and the 1972 state assembly elections.

In the 1972 state assembly elections LRP had put up candidates in 16 out of 68 constituencies. Two were elected as MLA from Kinnaur and Arki constituency. The party was dissolved just before the 1977 state assembly elections.

J.B.L Khachi (on left) with Pandit Sant Ram (former Agriculture Minister of Himachal Pradesh)

Apart from been a various times MLA and cabinet minister, he was also the Chairman of Working group (1967–1970), General Secretary of the Progressive front in Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha (1970–1973), Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Union (1972–1977) and General Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (1990–1993). He had also given speech in the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland.

Death

On 9 April 2002, Khachi reported his bad health, and later that night he was admitted to IGMC Shimla. Next day in the morning of 10 April, his condition worsened and he breathed his last when efforts of doctors to revive him failed. Khachi died due to a massive heart attack. His death was mourned by the people from all walks of life, including then Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Prem Kumar Dhumal and two former Chief Minister Thakur Ram Lal and Virbhadra Singh.[7] At that time Khachi was the sitting MLA of Kumarsain constituency.

See also

• Kumarsain
• Kumarsain (Vidhan Sabha constituency)
• Theog (Vidhan Sabha constituency)

References

1. "Hindustan Times (Apple country has produced some formidable leaders)".
2. "JBL Khachi Govt. Sr. Sec. School Kumarsain".
3. Struggles and Memoirs of the Socialists, 1947–1957: Punjab, Pepsu, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
4. "Sitting and previous MLAs from Kumarsain Assembly Constituency". Elections.in. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
5. "Sitting and previous MLAs from Theog Assembly Constituency". Elections.in. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
6. "Divya Himachal news".
7. "Tribune India, HP Cong MLA Khachi died".