Rao, P(amulaparti) V(enkata) Narasimha (1921–2004)

Indian politician, prime minister 1991–96 and Congress leader 1991–96. He governed the state of Andhra Pradesh as chief minister 1971–73, and served in the cabinets of Indira and Rajiv Gandhi as minister of external affairs 1980–85 and 1988–90 and of human resources 1985–88. He took over the Congress party leadership after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. Elected prime minister the following month, he instituted a market-centred and outward-looking reform of the economy. He survived a vote of no confidence in 1993. After Congress was defeated in national elections in May 1996, Rao resigned as prime minister and dissolved parliament. He resigned as Congress leader in December 1996 as allegations mounted over his alleged involvement in political bribery. Along with his home minister, Buta Singha, he was sentenced in October 2000 to three years imprisonment, having been found guilty of bribing opposition MPs to swing a vote the government's way in a crucial confidence vote in 1993.