Alexei Rykov vs I. K. Gujral

After Lenin's death, Rykov succeeded him as Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars (Premier) of the Soviet Union in February 1924. He held this position until 1930, overseeing the government during the NEP period and the early stages of Stalin's rise.

Rykov aligned with Bukharin and the Right Opposition, opposing Stalin's forced collectivization and rapid industrialization. He argued for a continuation of the NEP and a more moderate economic approach, but was forced to recant and lost his position as Premier in 1930.

During the Great Purge, Rykov was expelled from the Communist Party in February 1937. He was arrested and accused of involvement in a 'Right-Trotskyist bloc', marking the final stage of his political downfall and leading to his trial.

Rykov was tried alongside Bukharin in the third Moscow Show Trial in March 1938. Found guilty of treason and sabotage, he was executed on March 15, 1938, becoming one of the highest-ranking Soviet officials purged by Stalin.

I. K. Gujral was appointed India's ambassador to the Soviet Union, serving until 1980. This diplomatic role strengthened India-Soviet relations during the Cold War, including during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

As External Affairs Minister, I. K. Gujral articulated the Gujral Doctrine, a foreign policy approach emphasizing unilateral goodwill towards India's smaller neighbors. It included non-reciprocal benefits to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

I. K. Gujral was appointed Union Minister of External Affairs in the United Front government under Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda. He served in this role from June 1996 to April 1997, shaping India's foreign policy.

I. K. Gujral became the 12th Prime Minister of India, leading the United Front coalition government. His tenure lasted 11 months, from April 1997 to November 1997, succeeding H. D. Deve Gowda.

I. K. Gujral resigned as Prime Minister after the Congress party withdrew its support from the United Front government. The withdrawal was triggered by the Jain Commission report implicating the DMK in Rajiv Gandhi's assassination.