NEWSLINKS
US EDITION
COLUMNISTS
DIARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
ELECTIONS
ARCHIVES

Search Rediff

The Rediff Interview / Vajpayee's guru, Narayanrao Tarte

'I think he is running a circus'

Nagpur, the winter capital of Maharashtra, is buzzing with excitement. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Union Home Minister L K Advani are here to attend the Bharatiya Janata Party's three-day national executive and the Orange City has turned out in its best to welcome the VIP guests. One encounters posters, banners and welcome arches on every street.

Away from all this buzz sits an old man in the Reshimbaug headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh looking forward to his meeting with the prime minister. Narayanrao Tarte, 87, has had the rare distinction of teaching both Vajpayee and former BJP chief Kushabhau Thakre in school. He still remembers how deeply Vajpayee was interested in the functioning of the RSS then. That was Gwalior in 1938. Today, Nagpur is home to Tarte and his favourite ward is coming home.

In the hurry of meeting this man who saw the PM growing and who was instrumental in his entry into politics, one forgets to take a tour of the RSS headquarters, which is replete with momentos collected by its leaders.

Tarte, a frail old man clad in an old dhoti and phatua (quintessential Indian half-sleeved shirt), speaks so softly that he is virtually inaudible. The tape-recorder is no help because the old man's voice gets drowned in the static.

And even as one tries to figure out what do, the old man jolts you out of your thoughts: "One of my kidneys is totally damaged. I begin panting if I try to raise my voice," comes his voice low and tremulous. "But I will answer your questions." The tape recorder rolls once again.

Excerpts from an interview with Tara Shankar Sahay:

When was Prime Minister Vajpayee your student and how did he join the RSS?

I was a pracharak in Gwalior in those days, I think it was 1938. Both Atalji and Kushabhau Thakre were in my class. Atalji's natural interest in affairs pertaining to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh convinced me that he could be an asset in the organisation. I introduced him to the RSS and he has been its member ever since.

You are acknowledged as the prime minister's guru. What do you think of his handling of the controversy relating to the government's liberal economic policies?

What can I say, Atalji himself is hundred per cent swadeshi. The SJM strives for sampoorna swadeshi. The BJP is not against swadeshi, but it also supports calibrated liberalisation. After all, you also have to contend with international lending agencies like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. There is the pressure of coalition politics too. I think he is running a circus. His government comprises more than 18 parties, so pulls and pressures are natural. But a fine balance has to be maintained and I think Atalji is doing a fine job of it. You have to keep the brood happy, you see.

Has the Swadeshi Jagran Manch's strident attacks on the prime minister blown the myth of the BJP being a disciplined, cadre-based party?

You see, the Jana Sangh was a disciplined party. The BJP was formed after the Janata Party disintegrated because of differences among its members. Many who joined the BJP were inherently rebellious elements who, for some reason, have procured a foothold and stayed in the party.

But isn't that a sad commentary on the Vajpayee government?

Like I mentioned earlier, you have to make concessions...some give-and-take in running a coalition government is necessary. Also, if you have a large party like the BJP, you have to be prepared for some plurality of opinion.

Do you approve of the handling of these matters by the prime minister?

Of course, I do.

The SJM lobby is saying that the prime minister must change the policies according to its demands?

No, Atalji has told them that he will change the policies when the time comes. I think that is a tall order.

Will the Vajpayee government survive its full term?

Of course, it will. Atalji is so popular. The elections have proved it. Advaniji also said that only Prime Minister Vajpayee was capable of running the government. Here in Nagpur, I was surprised to see some veteran Congress members expressing themselves in favour of Atalji. They said given the opportunity they would even vote for him. That is the level of his popularity. He is a good manager of people, he knows about human relations.

Aren't you going to meet the prime minister?

Yes, I am. Atalji will arrive here and we will embrace. It will be an honour to meet the prime minister. (At this juncture, the interview was cut short as Tarte's aide whispered in his ears that it was time to break his Ekadeshi fast.) It's been a honour talking to you.

The Rediff Interviews

Tell us what you think of this interview