G. B. Pant, who hailed from the modern state of Uttar Pradesh, became a member of the All India Congress Committee and an opposition leader in the UP Council. A swarajist, he was at the forefront of the agitation against the Simon Commission. His involvement in the Civil Disobedience Movement led to his imprisonment in the early 1930s. He prepared the ‘Pant Report’ on reforming the agrarian set-up in UP.
The first Congress ministry of his province was formed by him in 193 7. He was actively involved in discussing the issue of transfer of power to India with the British. He became the first Chief Minister of UP and held that post for eight years during which he did much for its overall progress. One of his achievements during this time was the abolition of the zamindari system in UP. In 1955, G. B. Pant was given the Home Ministry portfolio in the Union Cabinet. He played a major role in the reorganisation of states. He is a recipient of the Bharat Ratna.