He had charm, high spirits, a large heart, courage, a forgiving nature, imaginative political sweep, an insatiable appetite for life. He was a solid champion of the welfare of the poor, the marginalised and the oppressed. Civilised in speech, daring in action, inspiring on the political stage. He was in some ways a loner, who from time to time found himself between a rock and a hard place.
Mr Chandra Shekhar was a dedicated non-conformist. He did not fit into any mould. His prime ministership lasted seven months, during which he governed with flair and flourish.
During the 1990 Kuwait/Gulf War his government worked overtime to repatriate a large number of Indians from Kuwait and the Gulf. A stupendous task. His persona was created long before he became Prime Minister. He felt more at home with Acharya Narendra Dev and Mr Jaiprakash Narayan.
His association with the Congress was brief but eventful: He successfully had a resolution passed in the AICC for the abolition of the privy purses of the princes.
He was elected to the Congress Working Committee against the wishes of Mrs Indira Gandhi. Nevertheless, she put him in the Rajya Sabha. I remember distinctly asking Mrs Indira Gandhi why she was sending "Young Turk" numero uno to the Upper House after his defying her during the CWC elections. She said, "We need someone like him to take care of Raj Narain." And he did. But he was not comfortable in the Congress. The break came during the Emergency. He was in detention for 19 months in Patiala jail. When the Emergency ended, he became president of the Janata Party. Not a happy experiment.
In 1998, we both were elected to the Lok Sabha. My book, Profiles and Letters, had appeared a few months earlier. Mr Chandra Shekhar not only read it, but did a TV interview with me. He was an austere man with a forgiving heart. Magnanimity was a part of his character. He held no grudge. His political friendships transcended party affiliations. A few months back, he gave a lunch party at his South Avenue Lane home in New Delhi.
It was a gathering one is not likely to forget. He was far from well but greeted every guest personally.
In 2004, he spent nearly three months in New York on medical treatment. He returned in much better health. I saw him several times in New York. His stoicism knew no limits. He battled against a killer disease with unmatched fortitude and without complaining even once. His pain must have been excruciating.
I remember his many kindnesses, personal and political. I saw him often during his prolonged illness. I regret not seeing him more often.
I recall numerous occasions when we had animated discussions on the political scene in the country. Lately, he felt it was downhill all the way.
He was a forceful, forthright, fluent and persuasive speaker in Parliament. He was almost always heard without interruption. If any member did so he was squashed with fiery indignation. His resignation speech in the Lok Sabha was a mature and masterly one.
The Congress party, on rather flimsy grounds, withdrew support and Chandra Shekhar took no time to call it a day. His character was complex. However, this is not the time to deliberate on it. His life was full of drama and passion — political passion. Not once did he abandon the habit of civilised discourse. I hope he gets the biographer he deserves.
K. Natwar Singh is a former minister for external affairs.
