During the government of Chandrashekhar many important decisions took place. What was the design of his government in his mind. How much work was he able to do and what remained undone?
In the arena of politics his priority was to solve the Ayodhya dispute and have elections in Punjab. And fortunately he made it possible. In the economic front he wanted to give employment to youth and to beautify the wasteland. I remember once the chairman of worldbank Makenmara came to India to meet Chandrashekhar. Makemara was blabbering about Capital, money and power. After listening to him Chandrashekhar said no doubt we need you but you also need us,its our mutual interdependence.He further said India is the only country where you get money and loan at the right time. In other countries there is much more deceit in every nook and corner. Interestingly it had great impact for the first time and we got loan from IMF without the visit of finance Minister.
He got bad fame to mortgage gold..
During those days Venkatraman was the president. He said that we need to make arrangement for the interest of foreign loan. Elections were round the corner and Chandrashekhar wanted the new government to take the decision. According to Venkatraman it was a big challenge. But he gave this suggestion to the president and advised him to talk to the leaders. As it will be an issue in elections. Venkatraman said that we have taken everbody in confidence. And some gold of smuggling was outside the treasury of 13 to 14 tonn. Chandrashekhar decided to sign but in post date 23 may was the last polling. He signed on the post date of 23 may. Unfortunately Rajiv Gandhi was killed on 21st of may and election was postponed. In congrees, Venkatraman had faith in Rajiv Gandh. Rajiv Gandhi must not have discussed about his conversation with Venkatraman. Its difficult to find people in politics who are concerned about the reputation of the country. The positive fact was Chandrashekhar mortgage 13 tonne gold. But when Narsimha Rao became Prime Minister and Manmohan Singh finance minister he mortgaged 40 tonn gold and nobody raised voice against it. Where was the reputation of the country that time.
During the time of Chandrashekhar people predicted that he had deep relation with some capitalists.Would you like to comment on some names like Hinduja, Dhirubhai Ambani…
It’s absolutely wrong. He issued non baillable warrant. Some past cases were already going on. Giri was the Solicitor General during that time. He was a terminate lawyer. He said that he was asked for legal opinion about this. Chandrashekhar said do what the law says. Later he was not able to take out the warrant. I won’t go deep into it. But Dhirubhai had this information perhaps this became the major reason behind the fall of the government.
What was the role of Dhirubhai?
Chandrashekhar and people at that time believed that partly it was pressure of capitalist and they had major role in falling of government.
During the time of VP Singh Hinduja was never able to come to south block. But I heard that during the time of Chandrashekhar, Ashok Hinduja….
As per my knowledge even during the time of Chandrashekhar, Hinduja was not able to come to south block.
How was his relation with Birla and Goenka?
Chandrashekhar always believed in Parliament. Be it terrorists of Punjab or people like Birla, Dhirubhai Ambai and Hinduja. He was never hesistant to talk to anybody.
But there is one big impression too that Chandraswami used to influence the decisions of Chandrashekhar.
Chandrashekhar always worked as per the laws. Even his critique could not give example .Once Chandrawami was coming from abroad and people thought that he is special person of Chandrashekhar. Infact he had to take advance bail.
When Chandrashekhar came out of post of Prime Ministership and lost the election. Perhaps after that he won alone .But even after that when Chandrashekhar stood .The house used be silent they used to listen to him. But in his last days he was very dispppointed with this democratic set up.
He had immense faith in Rajiv Gandhi but within a month Rajiv Gandhi made his different opinion and followed the path of Indira Gandhi and Charan Singh. Chandrashekhar was very hurt with this change in rajiv Gandhi, For the purpose he became Prime Minister he was not allowed to do those work that hurt him a lot. And he was hurt with Manmohan Singh because Manmohan Singh was the economic advisor in his government. But when government changed Manmohan Singh changed his policy. Chandrashkehar was surprised with this sudden change that too after 60 years.
How did Chandrashekhar see this change in Manmohan Singh?
He was not able to understand. If you remember there was debate in Parliament , it was debate on budget. Narsimha Rao asked Chandrashekhar we made your person as finance minister. We thought that he is your economic advisor and will work on your principles. Chandrashekhar said that he was our economic advisor not finance minister. The knife that I used for cutting brinjal, you used it for heart surgery. It was your fault. We were taking advice from him. Taking decisions was our job. It was work of our finance Minister. You made it upside down.
Chandraskehar thought that Manmohan Singh has been dishonest..
He thought that Manmohan Singh have been dishonest with his principles. He altered his 60 years of economic policy in a jiffy. Arjun Sen Gupta his economic advisor gave a report which reflects that this country has 74 crore people who are living their life in less than 20 rupees. There is an India within India. Today my state Bihar government has written that we have 1.30 crore people who are below poverty line. Government should provide wheat, rice , kerosene.
It means 7.30 crore people are below poverty line. The population of Bihar is 8 crore and 7.30 crore are poor. Chandrashekar was dismal as the NDA government was also working in the same manner.
Chandrashekhar was affectionate towards you and few people like you supported and gave them the right direction and fatherly love but why not his own sons?
In 2004 elections were going on. I thought I am at such place where I can return his favours. I decided to give seat to his elder son. I talked to Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He was very happy about it. Then I asked Chandrasekhar. He said till I am alive only one person from my family could stand in elections. If Pankaj have the will then I have no problem. But he is son of Chandrashekhar that is why Digvijay Singh is giving ticket. I should retire then. I should leave for Balia. Who so ever got helped help from Chandrashekhar never made their children stand in election.
