Dr P. Subbarayan
1889 – 1962
Not a Justice Party leader: the independent First Minister who governed between Justice ministries, later a Congress minister, freedom fighter and diplomat.
Paramasivan Subbarayan (11 September 1889 – 6 October 1962) was born at Kumaramangalam in Salem district and educated at Presidency College, Trinity College Dublin, the University of London and Christ Church, Oxford. He was nominated to the Madras Legislative Council in 1922.
We include him here for context, not as a member of the party. After the Swaraj Party won the 1926 elections but refused to take office, and the Justice Party declined it, the Governor appointed Subbarayan, an unaffiliated member, as First Minister. He served from 4 December 1926 to 27 October 1930. The Justice Party first opposed his ministry, moving an unsuccessful no-confidence motion in 1927, and later supported it.
Subbarayan joined the Congress in 1933, served in Rajaji's cabinet, was imprisoned during the Quit India Movement, and after independence was ambassador to Indonesia, Union Minister of Transport and Communications, and Governor of Maharashtra at his death.
Key contributions
- Independent First Minister of Madras, 1926–1930
- Governed in the interval between Justice ministries
- Later Congress minister, freedom fighter and Union Minister