Law Kumar Mishra | Team TrickyScribe: Abdul Ghafoor, Bihar’s Chief Minister until March 11, 1975, was a leader of exceptional grit and integrity. Before the Emergency was declared, he led a government where two former chief ministers—Kedar Pandey and Daroga Prasad Rai—served as his cabinet colleagues.
Indira Gandhi had first replaced Pandey with Rai and later brought Ghafoor in as CM, setting the stage for a politically charged period in Bihar’s history. Bihar was undivided back then.
The Cold Reception at the Airport
When Indira Gandhi summoned both Ghafoor and Rai to Delhi for discussions, no one in Patna knew what was coming. The two leaders returned together on an Indian Airlines flight. As they landed, an unusual scene unfolded—Ghafoor walked out alone, holding a newspaper, with no one to welcome him. Meanwhile, hundreds of supporters gathered at the airport, chanting slogans in favor of the outgoing CM, Daroga Prasad Rai. Among them was a young student leader named Lalu Prasad Yadav, who would soon lead an agitation against Ghafoor’s government.
The Accessible and Transparent CM
Unlike many of his predecessors, Abdul Ghafoor was known for his open-door policy. His official residence at 4 KG Avenue was always accessible—people could meet him without appointments, sometimes even on the stairs as he walked in and out. Every evening, he was seen driving his white Fiat 52-number car on Bailey Road, alone, without any security or escort vehicles. His governance style was transparent; even in the secretariat, there was no unnecessary bureaucracy. His key aide, Basant Kumar Dubey, efficiently managed the administrative affairs.
Tough Stand Against Protests
As Bihar erupted in student protests led by the Chhatra Sangharsh Samiti, Ghafoor faced one of the most violent agitations in the state’s history. There was widespread arson and police firing. But Ghafoor stood firm in the Assembly, declaring, “The government’s hands are long; no one can escape the law.” Under the stringent Defence of India Rules, hundreds were arrested. He even ordered the delisting of The Searchlight, a Patna-based English daily, for allegedly publishing false reports. However, after pressure from opposition leaders, including Jayaprakash Narayan, the decision was reversed.
Defying the Prime Minister’s Letter
During the railway workers’ strike led by George Fernandes, coal transportation from Bihar’s mines came to a halt. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi sent Ghafoor a letter, directing him to arrange trucks for coal transport. A news agency picked up the story, and a journalist called the CM’s residence, asking about the truck arrangements. To everyone’s surprise, Ghafoor himself answered the call and retorted, “Is arranging trucks the CM’s job? I have sent the letter to the transport commissioner.”
A Sharp Wit in Political Circles
One of the most dramatic events during his tenure was the assassination of Union Railway Minister Lalit Narayan Mishra. As Mishra’s funeral took place in his native village, Balua Bazar, two journalists working with prominent English dailies requested Ghafoor to arrange a state aircraft to fly them back to Patna. The CM, unimpressed by their urgency, sarcastically pointed to his pyjama and said, “If you’re in such a hurry, you can sit on this and fly!” His quick wit and sharp tongue became legendary in Bihar’s political circles.
The End of His CM Tenure
Following the assassination of Lalit Narayan Mishra, a faction within the Congress pushed for Ghafoor’s removal. When Indira Gandhi questioned why he was being targeted, a pro-Jagannath Mishra legislator replied, “We call you ‘Didi’ (sister), but he calls us ‘Bahen’ in an insulting way.” Eventually, Jagannath Mishra replaced Ghafoor as Bihar’s CM on March 11, 1975.
Life After the Chief Ministership
Post his CM tenure, Ghafoor moved into a government bungalow in Chhajju Bagh. Every evening, he would visit a news agency on Fraser Road, sharing tea and conversations with old friends, including Mantu Dada, a bureau chief whom he had once nominated to the Legislative Council. Later, he served as the Union Minister for Urban Development and Housing and even joined Nitish Kumar’s Samata Party, winning a Lok Sabha seat.
A Legacy of Integrity and Simplicity
Abdul Ghafoor remains a unique figure in Bihar’s political history—a no-nonsense leader who governed with transparency and fearlessness. Unlike many politicians of his time, he remained accessible to the people, upheld administrative efficiency, and left behind a legacy that continues to be remembered with admiration.
Total Views: 5,04,495
