Yesterday marked an end of the road for a great leader.Pramod Mahajan or PM showcased the typical rags to riches story shown in only reel life.
He was a humble son of a teacher who had the ambition and the determination to reach the highest echeleons of power.To travel from such humble background to among the most important people of a national party deserves a standing ovation.
But what marked PM as someone different?
He was the visionary, a man ahead of times, and very much ahead in the Indian politics, when it came to making it better.He was not a mass leader, he made to Lok Sabha only once in 1996, and lost in the next elections. But he was a master strategist, an amicable person who could get around with anyone, and one who can get a solution to tough problem, or had a bent to sort out conflicting parties. He showed his acumen after the 1996 13-day BJP govt., when he played a major role in getting a 24 party coalition ready for the 1999 elections, and tht paid rich dividends.Also, not many ppl know that it was he who got all the parties to agree on Kalam’s nomination for President.
His stature within the BJP was rising each day, with Vajpayee even anointing him the “Lakshman” of BJP.Though he had a poor equation with the Sangh, due to his moderate inclinations, but even then there were few ppl who doubted abt him becoming the next BJP President.
He had a penchant for path-breaking steps, which he actively showed with the use of
technology in politics. He would be ascribed as a revolutionary in scientific management of
elections.Though BJP didn’t win coz of PM’s hard hitting “India Shining” campaign, but it
was due to some other factors than due to any technical mishmash.Ppl within BJP were not very comfortable with his use of such gadgetry power in politics.
Another quality that made him apart from today’s politician was his candour, courage to
accept defeat. He had no qualms in taking onus of BJP’s failure in last elections.Also, on
Jinnah issue, he said on TV that almost 99% of BJP was opposed to Advani’s remarks.He also had a clean image, devoid of corruption or indulgence. The Shivani Bhatnagar case and the Madhu Sharma case were just the part and parcel of the political life, which never had any weight.
He was witty, candid and a media savvy person.One who knew the trick to manipulate media aptly.His candour and forthright attitude made him a poster boy with TV journalism.His closeness with the corporates also drew a lot of flak, but it just showed his skills at getting along with ppl in all walks of society.
All in all,a ‘modern politician’, one who cud have served India well in coming years with
his far-sighted vision, and his recognition of youth and technology as the torch-bearers of
India in future.One who would have played a major role in India’s success, whether he stayed in or out of power.It is a great loss not only for BJP but to country as such.
May his soul rest in peace.
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