Background
Nikonov, Viktor was born on February 28, 1929. Son of a peasant.
Nikonov, Viktor was born on February 28, 1929. Son of a peasant.
Graduated from the Azovo-Chernomorskii Agricultural Institute in 1950.
Worked as chief agronomist of a machine and tractor station (MTS). Deputy director of an agricultural school. Director of an MTS, 1950-1958.
Deputy head, then head of the Agricultural Department of Krasnoiarsk Krai Communist Party of the Soviet Union Committee, 1958-1961. 2nd secretary of Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic Oblast’ Communist Party of the Soviet Union Committee, 1961-1967. 1st secretary of Mari Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic Oblast’ Communist Party of the Soviet Union Committee, 1967-1979.
Candidate member, 1971-1976, and full member of the Central Committee, 1976. USSR Deputy Minister of Agriculture. Chairman of the All-Union Production-Scientific Association for Agrochemical Services of Agriculture from 1979.
A reform-minded technocrat. Promoted by Gorbachev to full voting membership of the Politburo.
CPSU since 1954; 1971-1976, member of Central Committee CPSU 1976-1989. Secretary Central Committee of CPSU 1985-1989. Politburo 1987-1989.