Shri Balvantray Gopalji Mehta

MEHTA, SHRI BALVANTRAY, B.A., Cong., (Bombay-Gohilwad—1957): S. of Gopaljee Tribhuvandas Mehta; B. Bhavnagar (Saurashtra) February 19, 1899; ed. at Samaldas College, Bhavnagar and Gujerat College, Ahmedabad; m. Sarojbahen, 1936; 1 S. (adopted) ; Journalist; Life Member, Servants of the People Society, 1927; Vice-President, Servants of the People Society, 1957; Founder President, Bhavnagar Mahila Vidyalaya; Vice-President, Saurashtra Seva Samity; President, Vidya Sabha, Bhavnagar; Co-founder, Bhavnagar Praja Parishad; Saurashrtra Seva Samiti and All-India States Peoples Conference, 1927 and Thakkar Bapa Harijan Ashram, Bhavnagar, 1927; Member Managing Committee, Bhavnagar City Municipality, 1923-26; General Secretary. All-India States Peoples Conference, 1928-35; Vice-President, All-India States’ Peoples’ Conference, 1946-48; President, Bhavnagar Praja Parishad, 1946-48; Secretary, Bhavnagar Praja Parishad; Secretary, Kathiawar Political Conference; Leader of  Opposition, Bhavnagar Legislative Assembly (Sept. 15, 1946—Jan. 15, 1948); Prime Minister, Bhavnagar State (January-February, 1943); Deputy Chief Minister and Minister in charge of Railways, Ports, Political Department, Customs, Excise, Local Self Government, Port and Telephones, Road Transport, Co-operation, Backward Classes (1948-50) and Education, (1950); Member, Gujerat. P.C.C. for 30 years; Secretary, Gujerat P.C.C. (1950-52); Member, A.I.C.C. 1940-57; Member, A.I.C.C. Working Committee, 1948-49 and 1952-57; President, Gohilwad District C.C., 1952-57; Secretary, Congress Parliamentary Party in Lok Sabha; General Secretary, Indian National Congress, 1954-55; Chairman, Collieries Amalgamation Committee, 1955-56; Leader of the Team for Community Project and N.E.S. Team, 1957; Suffered imprisonment in the national fight for freedom—eight terms in seven years; interested in the uplift of Harijans and women and the amelioration of Adivasis; Member, Bhavnagar State Legislative Assembly, 1946-48; Member, Saurashtra Constituent Assembly,. 1948-49; Member, Saurashtra Legislative Assembly, 1949-52; Member, Constituent Assembly of India, 1947-50; Member, First Lok Sabha, 1952-57; Chairman, Estimates Committee, Lok Sabha, 1955-56 and 1956-57 and also now.

Hobbies:  Reading.

Favourite pastime and recreation: Bezique, Rummy and Radio.

Special interests: Ancient Indian History and Archaeology.

Travels abroad: Ceylon (1954).

Permanent address: c/o Shri Bhogilal M. Shah, Madhix Mahal, Krishna Nagar, Bhavnagar.

[Voting results at the Election:

Electorate: 3,38,908

Shri Balvantray Mehta ..  82,582

 Shri Jaswant N. Mehta .. 62,958]