Presidents of India and the controversies they got into

S RADHAKRISHNAN

1962-1967: Most cerebral of Presidents, gave big push to education and teaching.

ZAKIR HUSSAIN

1967-1969: First President to die in office. The educator worked for better study opportunities for Muslims, backed 'nai talim'.

V V GIRI

1969-1974: Was Indira's candidate against Congress syndicate's Neelam Sanjiva Reddy. His win sealed Indira's leadership. He died in office.

ZAIL SINGH

1982-1987: Entered office as loyalist saying he'd sweep the floor if Indira asked him to, but was locked in row with Rajiv. Many say he thought of dismissing govt. Conducted himself with dignity during Operation Bluestar.

R VENKATARAMAN

1987-1992: Period when Rajiv lost polls. V P Singh became PM, Chandrasekhar head of rump govt. Swore in Narasimha Rao as PM. Stirred hornet's nest suggesting formation of national govt after V P govt fell. In 1989, after Bofors scam, Congress lost polls. Yet, it was the single largest. Venkataraman called largest single party. Rajiv declined.

S D SHARMA

1992-1997: True-blue Congressman. Criticized for making Vajpayee PM, who resigned after 13 days. Sharma said he went by principle of appointing the single largest party.

A P J ABDUL KALAM

2002-2007: Election partly accidental as BJP hunted for a name. Most backed the missile man. He signed dissolution of Bihar assembly, faxed to him when on a foreign tour. Kalam shocked Vajpayee saying before 2004 polls govt's decision-making powers should cede to him. Did not relent when Vajpayee said Constitution had no provision for caretaker govt.



RAJENDRA PRASAD

1950-1962 (two terms): Clashed with Nehru over Hindu Code Bill and Somnath temple. Not Nehru's first choice. He thought C Rajagopalachari was better.



FAKHRUDDIN ALI AHMED

1974-1977: Tenure marked by controversial signing of Emergency proclamation. On June 25, 1975, Indira met him, said she was imposing Emergency. Around 11pm, she wrote to him formally. Rules say such a request should have Cabinet approval, which Ahmed didn't ask for. Died in harness.



NEELAM SANJIVA REDDY

1977-1982: Elected unanimously as Janata Party nominee.



K R NARAYANAN

1997-2002: First dalit President. Had uneasy ties with NDA. Insisted on NDA partners giving in writing their support for Vajpayee. Returned decision to impose central rule in Bihar. Invited Sonia to form govt in April 1999 after Vajpayee lost by one vote in LS. Wrote to Vajpayee on Gujarat riots.



PRATIBHA PATIL

2007-2012: First woman president, tenure unremarkable. Ended controversially over Pune bungalow which some ex-servicemen said exceeded her entitlement.