New Delhi, 21 May
BY SUNIL NEGI
Today is the death anniversary of the former prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who left the entire nation in utter shock on 21 st May 1991 having been brutally assassinated at Sriperumbudur, Tamilnadu. A true statesman who brought a computer revolution in India and opened the doors of economic liberalisation taking India towards immense technological progress Rajiv Gandhi was and is loved, adored, revered and admired worldwide.
While on 21st May the entire nation across the spectrum pays him its richest tributes, I fondly remember having seen Rajivji from close quarters a day before his shocking genocidal death , never ever thought even in dreams that this will be my last ever darshan of him.
It was on 20 th May , the voting day of the general elections. I was then with the first and original super star turned Congress candidate from New Delhi Rajesh Khanna as his media advisor.
Rajesh Khanna was then living at Som Vihar Apartments near DPS public School opposite Sector, 7 R.K.Puram, New Delhi.
I was living in Nanakpura, a kilometre away from Kakaji’s residence. As decided earlier , I reached the Som Vihar apartment at 7.30 AM and Rajesh Khanna too was ready by then. I knocked on his door and both of us were in his ambassador car heading for Nirman Bhawan polling station where R.K.Dhawan, the chief election agent of Rajesh Khanna, the New Delhi Congress candidate was already waiting.
We got out of the car and rushed towards the main gate of the Nirman Bhawan polling booth.
It was around 8.30 or 8.45 AM and security all over. Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia were to arrive at this polling station to cast their votes.
Everyone was ready to receive them. The media photographers had already taken their positions inside the building on the side of the stairs. As soon as Rajiv , Sonia arrived they were greeted by Rajesh Khanna, R.K.Dhawan , me and others.
Smiling Rajiv rushed towards the main gate with Soniaji with his usual smiling gesture but meanwhile the Sewa Dal women activists with Aaarti Thali in their hands came in front to apply tilak, but the thali fell down and all hell broke. Sonia Gandhi was disturbed considering it as a bad omen but Rajivji said ” koi baat nahi” and went ahead to cast their votes with Sonia Gandhi, R.K.Dhawan and Rajesh Khanna.
The photographers in good numbers requested Soniaji and Kaka to give a posture casting the vote.
Hundreds of cameras clicked and the picture took place on the front page of every newspaper the other day.
After the voting then former PM Rajiv Gandhi was to go to Sriperumbudur the next day on 21 May, 1991 to campaign for the party candidates.
On 21 st May my brother’s marriage was to be solemnised and since Rajesh Khanna was free after the hectic Delhi elections , I had invited him to this marriage to which he agreed.
On 21 st May , I went to Som Vihar apartment where Rajesh Khanna stayed to pick him up and Kaka was waiting. He was busy giving postures to a PTI photojournalist .
After some time we both sat in the ambassador and reached the marriage venue at Sector 2 R.K.Puram, New Delhi by 9.35 PM.
Since I haven’t pre-informed anyone about Rajesh Khanna ‘s visit in the marriage no one had any idea of a superstar coming there.
As soon as Kaka reached the venue , everyone was shocked to see their Superstar in front of them, so close.
The news about his arrival spread like a wild fire and there was literally a stampede-like situation.
The police had to intervene.
Everyone left their plates and rushed towards the superstar. Kaka stayed in the marriage function for half an hour or so. Met my brother Anil Negi, his wife Mumtaz and congratulated them.
The situation was more like a messy affair. Meanwhile, a security officer with Kaka came rushing towards us , whispering something in Rajesh Khanna’s ear. Kaja was shocked saying oh God, what happened ? I have lost my God father. He immediately rushed towards his car saying Rajivji nahi rahe and headed in tears for 10 Janpath.
Kaka was with Rajivji’s coffin in Teen Murthy for several hours completely shocked as if his world had been razed to the ground.
After a few days Kaka lost to BJP Advani by merely 1500 votes though the latter preferred retaining Gandhi Nagar . Kaka defeated Shatrughan Sinha by 29000 votes and became the New Delhi MP after few months .
He was after the negative of a picture which he termed as a classic most memorable picture of his life with Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi voting for him for the first and last time at Nirman Bhawan polling station and Kaka helping Soniaji.
Kaka acquired the negative of the picture in which he is helping Sonia Gandhi casting a vote and Rakesh Khanna helping her with Rajiv Gandhi smilingly watching them.
Kaka got this big picture framed with a beautiful border and fixed the photos at his Delhi house 81 Lodi Estate and the Mumbai House Ashirvad at the entrance , in the drawing room and everywhere.
He lived and adored Rajivji to the hilt and considered him as his God father politically as he was Rajiv Gandhi who brought him in active politics and gave him the Congress ticket from New Delhi. Had he been alive Rajesh Khanna would have been the cabinet minister said the insiders then.
