Ghani Khan Choudhury leaves behind rich legacy of leadership

Kolkata, Apr 14 (UNI) Abul Barkat Ataur Ghani Khan Choudhury was one of the most remarkable and colourful leaders of the Congress whose contribution to state politics and development of North Bengal could not be rivalled.

Born on November 1,1927 in Malda town as the eldest son of Khan Bahadur H.B.Khan Choudhury, Ghani Khan Choudhury was attracted to politics at an early age.

After training in Malda District School, Mr Khan Choudhury did his graduation in Arts from Calcutta University before completing his Bar-at-Law from London and Geneva.

Mr Khan Choudhury was first elected to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in 1952 before being re-elected for four consecutive terms in 1967, 1969, 1971 and 1972 when the Congress was still in power.

Besides being the Pradesh Congress President from 1978 to 1980, Mr Khan Choudhury became a state cabinet minister in charge of Irrigation and Power for two terms between 1971 and 1977 during the Congress rule.

Mr Khan Choudhury was first elected to the 7th Lok Sabha on a Congress ticket from Malda in 1980 and became the union minister of Energy,Coal and Irrigation in the Indira Gandhi Cabinet.

Within two years, in recognition of his leadership capabilities and dedicated work, Mr Khan Choudhury was given the charge of the Railway ministry by Mrs Gandhi.

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