Remembered fondly

Ranchi, July 8: Noted journalist Harivansh admitted today that former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar was a “mismatch” in current power politics.

The “young turk” always had to pay the price for his uprightness and inability to change his stand as per the market demand, said Harivansh.

Harivansh, currently the chief editor of Hindi daily, Prabhat Khabar, was press advisor to Chandra Shekhar, when the latter became India’s prime minister.

Harivansh admitted that he virtually had no work, while serving the Prime Minister.

Chandra Shekhar, a voracious reader and a versatile scholar, never asked his press advisor to write his speeches, provide important background and reference materials, prepare press notes or even manage important media personalities.

He took personal care of every individual member of his team and never depended upon others for any type of work.

“He was perhaps the only person in modern politics who never changed his statements. He always stood by what he said. He spoke out his heart everywhere, without bothering for the consequences. His plain speaking fetched him friends and foes,” recalled Harivansh.

About Chandra Shekhar’s nature, the chief editor had only praise to shower on the late former Prime Minister. “He rose from a very humble background, but never forgot his roots even after scaling the biggest peak,” said Harivansh.

Harivansh, hailing from Balia district in eastern Uttar Pradesh, came in touch with Chandrashekhar in Mumbai during 1977-78.

Jayaprakash Narayan, a political leader, was undergoing treatment in a hospital in Mumbai and Chandrashekhar, who represented the youth leadership of the country, had come to meet him.

Harivash was working with the Hindi weekly, Dharmyug, in Mumbai at the time.

He was assigned to interview the “turk” who was instrumental in bringing about revolutionary changes in socialist politics of the country, recalled Harivansh.

“Chandrashekhar was a youth icon. He was instrumental in the nationalisation of banks. He led the garibi hatao campaigns. He also invited Jayaprakash Narayan to his place for tea. Much against the wishes of Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi, over 60 Congress MPs participated in the tea party. Thereafter, emergency was declared in the country,” added Harivansh, with a smile. The chief editor firmly holds that Chandrashekhar never compromised with his principles.

“He was the last person in Indian politics who would hesitate from taking harsh decisions any moment. His long- sightedness often went unnoticed, because he only spoke out his heart,” Harivansh reminisced.