Gandhi, Rajiv

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Gandhi, Rajiv (1944–91) Indian statesman, prime minister (1984–89). The elder son of Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi was an airline pilot before reluctantly entering politics. He became prime minister after his mother's assassination. He worked to placate India's Sikh extremists, but a bribery scandal tarnished his reputation. Defeated in the 1989 election, Gandhi was assassinated while campaigning for re-election in 1991.

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