“Alaways fair, rarely confrontationist”

S. Narendra

Indian democracy has lost in Atal Behari Vajyaee’s passing away one of its foremost champions. I had the privilege of working with him when he was the prime minister, the last among the four PMs I served as the Information Adviser. Enormously courteous, open minded, patient in his dealing with civil servants like me. Encouraged us to speak our minds frankly. In one of my previous posts, I have narrated my experience of serving Prime Minister Vajpayee during his 13 days stint in office in 1996. It is befitting to recall that piece here.
Customarily, a prime minister makes a formal TV/RADIO broadcast soon after assuming office. As expected, when Vajpayeeji became PM, I was asked by his close political aide Pramod Mahajan to call the official TV,-Doordarshan- camera person to record the broadcast.
When the TV camera crew was making arrangements in the PM’s office, where Vajpayeeji was going through the draft text prepared by Pramod Mahajan, the prime minister called me and asked : ‘have you seen the draft’? Although I had kept a draft ready, Mahajan had told me that my draft was not required.
On the Prime Minister’s instructions, I read the draft and hesitatingly gave my opinion thus: “ Sir, you are a national leader. Somehow, this draft makes you a BJP Prime Minister. It does not fit in your stature”. Vajpayeeji reread the draft. The broadcast was cancelled.
I did not know Vajpayeeji. Some persons in the party and the media had conveyed to him that I was a Congress party chela and should be replaced.
Vajpayeeji could be a devastating critic of the political opponents. Verbal attacks were measured and had rapier-like sharpness, But always fair,and rarely confrontationist. As a result, in politics he was a consensus builder. India of the present would miss him and his political sagacity.

Vajpayeeji could be a devastating critic of the political opponents. Verbal attacks were measured and had rapier like sharpness, But always fair,and rarely confrontationist. As a result in politics he was a consensus builder. India of the present misses him and his political sagacity.