Deep Chand Bandhu

Deep Chand Bandhu (1931 – 17 September 2003) was an Indian Politician who belonged to the Indian National Congress party. He was a member of Delhi Legislative Assembly from 1993 to 2003 representing the Wazirpur Constituency and served as a minister in the Delhi government for several portfolios including Industry, Environment, Forest & Wild Life, Labour, Employment and Election from 2001 to 2003. He also served as the President of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee from 1994 to 1996.

Early life and education

Bandhu was born in 1931 in Kondal village of the present-day Faridabad district of Haryana. Many of his ancestors were Freedom Fighters, including Raja Nahar Singh who fought against the British in the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Bandhu had a post-graduate degree and was fascinated by the culture and history of India. He began his career as a teacher in Delhi after completing a teacher training course in 1949 from D.A.V. College, Jalandhar. Starting from 1952, he served as General Secretary and President of the Delhi Teachers Association until 1971. For five years, he also served as the President of All India Teachers Association.

Political career

Bandhu's political career started with his election as a municipal councillor in 1971, following which he was designated as the Chairman of the Rural Areas Committee of the Delhi Municipal Corporation. Over the next two decades, he held several roles within the corporation, including Deputy Mayor in 1984. In 1985, he became the Chairman of the Standing Committee, which is considered the most significant committee of the corporation. He served as Chairman of the Appointments, Promotions, Disciplinary, and Allied Matters Committee while holding the role of Leader of the House within the corporation from 1985 and 1990.

After his tenure in the Municipal Corporation, he entered the Legislative Assembly in 1993, winning the election as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Wazirpur Constituency. He was then chosen to serve as the Congress Legislature Party's chief whip, a position he held up until 1998. Following the 1998 elections, he was again elected as an MLA from the same constituency, obtaining the public's approval once more. Later, he received a nomination for the position of Deputy Leader of the Congress Legislature Party.

In 1972, Bandhu was put forward to join the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee. He received a nomination for General Secretary two years later. He then joined the All India Congress Committee as a member in 1975. He was elected vice president of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee in 1987 and served in that capacity till 1994. He then went on to become the President of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee from 1994 to 1996. He also served on the Central Parliamentary Election Committee in the year 1996 as one of its members.

In 2001, The Government of Delhi assigned Bandhu the Minister of Industry, Environment, Forest & Wild Life, Labour, Employment, and Election.

Electoral Performance

Death

Bandhu died on September 17, 2003, at the age of 72, due to an infection in his intestine, coupled with multi-organ failure. Bandhu had been admitted to Apollo Hospital earlier that day as a result of the infection he had acquired. Immediately upon his admission to the ICU, he was placed on a ventilator to treat his rapidly worsening condition. He was cremated at Nigambodh crematorium the next day with all due state honors. Several senior members of the Congress and the Opposition attended the burial and offered their condolences, as did Sheila Dikshit, the chief minister. Dikshit praised Bandhu for his life-long service to people and the Congress party, and stated that his demise was a loss to both the government and the party.

Bungalow

The bungalow in which Bandhu died has gained notoriety for its alleged association with ill fortune, purportedly impacting the lives of its occupants. It was observed that those who lived there were unable to complete their terms in office. Many politicians and bureaucrats refused to reside in the bungalow, citing issues with its Vastu shastra. In 1952, the first Chief Minister of Delhi, Chaudhary Brahm Prakash, moved into the bungalow, but he was unable to finish his tenure. The same was the case with Madan Lal Khurana, who moved in 1993 and resigned in 1996 due to the Hawala scandal. Choudhary Mange Ram, an executive councillor and previous resident, also left office prematurely. Bandhu, who also lived in the bungalow, was unable to complete his tenure due to illness, leading to the bungalow being referred to as a "jinxed abode." After his death, the bungalow remained unoccupied for nearly a decade, leading the government to turn it into a guest house. The bungalow is located at 33 Shamnath Marg in North Delhi's Civil Lines area, and was once a prestigious address until Bandhu's death.

Legacy

The ''Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital'' in Ashok Vihar, Delhi was inaugurated by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit as a tribute to Bandhu's hard work and service towards the welfare of the people.

References

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1931 births
2003 deaths
Indian National Congress politicians
Indian National Congress politicians from Delhi
Presidents of Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee
Delhi MLAs 1993–1998
Delhi MLAs 1998–2003
State cabinet ministers of Delhi