Jivatram Bhagwandas Kripalani, or Acharya Kripalani as he was better known, was born in 1888, and became one of the most prominent Congress leaders in the Independence and post Independence era, also becoming its President for a while.

He would then move on to become a teacher at the Gujarat Vidyapeeth from 1920-27, thus earning his nickname, Acharya. His association with Gandhi als developed during this time, he would volunteer again and again in the satyagrahas being held around the country.

Rising in Congress ranks as a member, he would soon enough face himself at odds with Nehru and Patel. He served as the President of Congress from 1947 to 1950, and was ideologically opposed to the Prime Minister and Home Minister respectively. However, he wanted a centralised Congress party, where decisions would be based on the party’s views, while Nehru and Patel argued that it would take too long, and instead said that broad principles and guidelines might be directed by the party, but day to day affairs must be reserved for the government only, even if the party was in power.

Kripalani broke from the Congress soon enough, and would form his own Praja Socialist Party, initially called Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party, in 1950. He would remain opposed to both the Congress and his own wife - who had also joined the Parliament, but on the Congress’ side.

He would pass away on the 19th of March, 1982.