India’s state politics has witnessed dramatic twists — sudden alliances, overnight defections, and court interventions. While many Chief Ministers have served long and stable terms, others held office for only a few days. These short tenures provide fascinating insights into political instability, shifting loyalties, and intense power struggles at the state level. In this detailed blog, we explore the shortest-serving Chief Ministers in India, the reasons behind their brief terms, and the political circumstances that shaped these episodes.
Shortest-Serving CM in India
Explore the complete list of the shortest-serving Chief Ministers in India and learn about their impactful but brief tenures. Discover the political intricacies that led to their short stints in office.
1. Jagdambika Pal – 1 Day (Uttar Pradesh, 1998)
Jagdambika Pal is known for having the shortest tenure of any Chief Minister in India, serving just one day. He was sworn in on 21 February 1998 after the Uttar Pradesh Governor dismissed Kalyan Singh’s government during a political crisis. The move was immediately challenged, and the Allahabad High Court ruled the dismissal invalid. As a result, Kalyan Singh was reinstated the next day, ending Jagdambika Pal’s term on 22 February 1998. His brief tenure remains a unique moment in Indian politics.
Tenure: 21 February 1998 – 22 February 1998
Reason: Court intervention reversing the Governor’s decision.
2. B. S. Yediyurappa – 7 Days (Karnataka, 2007)
Tenure: 12 November 2007 – 19 November 2007
Reason: JD(S) withdrew support before trust vote.
3. Haru Das – 7 Days (Manipur, 1972)
Haru Das served as Chief Minister for barely a week, becoming one of the earliest examples of extremely short CM tenures in India. His brief time in office was shaped by intense political instability and deep internal conflicts within his party, which prevented him from maintaining support long enough to govern effectively. As rival factions vied for control, his administration quickly lost stability, forcing his resignation. Haru Das’s week-long tenure remains a reminder of the volatility that marked early post-independence state politics.
Tenure: 14 March 1972 – 21 March 1972
Reason: Inability to maintain majority support.
4. V. R. Nedunchezhiyan – 13 Days (Tamil Nadu, 1988)
O.P. Chautala’s first tenure as Chief Minister of Haryana lasted just 15 days, driven largely by political instability within the Janata Dal and wavering support from independent MLAs. The fragile coalition collapsed quickly, preventing him from proving a stable majority in the Assembly. As a result, his initial term ended abruptly. Despite this short-lived start, Chautala later returned to power and went on to serve multiple full terms, becoming one of Haryana’s most prominent political figures.
Tenure: 2 December 1989 – 17 December 1989
Reason: Loss of support in a fragile coalition.
6. Samyukta Maharathi & Several Interim CMs (Various States)
India’s shortest-serving Chief Ministers may not have had time to shape long-term policy, but their brief tenures capture some of the most dramatic moments in state politics. Sudden alliance breakdowns, leadership voids after a CM’s death, and decisive judicial interventions often triggered these short-lived governments. Each case reflects the volatility and complexity of India’s democratic framework, where power can shift rapidly. These fleeting tenures serve as reminders of how unpredictable and event-driven Indian state politics can be.
