LALU   YADAV

Gopalganj to Raisina: My Political Journey by Lalu Prasad Yadav, Nalin Verma; Published by Rupa ; Pages 214; Price:Rs 500/-

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In India the genre of political biographies has not acquired any importance. So one welcomes such books which throw light on the nooks and crannies of history. A minor attempt in this direction is the autobiography of Lalu Prasad Yadav. Originally in Hindi we have an English version.The book under review is an entertaining account of a politician among politicians.

Lalu’s memoir in English has been co-authored by Nalin Verma, veteran journalist and a writer of repute. Nothing is known about the date of birth of Lalu but this has not abated his effulgence and he continues to be a shining star—whether free or behind bars. Charisma is his passport and charm his visa !.

Lalu is a product of the JP revolution. The book recaptures the journey of India’s most colourful political leader, who turned out to be the dream boy of all cartoonists.

Lalu, has been an eloquent speaker who picked up enemies by the score and here he is open about revealing unknown or otherwise misunderstood episodes of his personal as well as political life. Each chapter brims with untold tales .

One example. Rabri Devi’s first pregnancy was advised to Lalu when he was a prisoner under MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act) and his first baby was born on May 22, 1975. Since he was booked under MISA and was out on parole to attend to his wife and the newborn, his political idol and mentor Jayaprakash Narayan suggested that he name his daughter Misa. Thus, his firstborn was named Misa Bharati.

Reporters have often asked Lalu about his style of oratory that matches that of poorest of the poor in society and he has always told them that since he was brought up amidst them it comes naturally to him.

Lalu has important pronouncements about events such as Politics of Mandal, Mandir and Masjid.

It is accepted by one and all that Lalu has been the best Union Minister for Railways and his experiment with kulhars (clay cups) really caught the attention of several policy makers and commentators. One can understand the story behind a complete turnaround of Indian Railways from bankruptcy to billions in Lalu’s own written words .

After the Apex Court recently rejected his bail plea ahead of the crucial 2019 polls, Lalu who is convicted in fodder scam has been reading Mahabharata in an attempt to understand the life and teachings of Lord Krishna.

Lalu Prasad has the uncanny ability to recount highlights of his life —extremely detailed, earthy language and expression, and utterly ready to sharing information others would dread to confess, even to themselves.

Lalu recounts how he got then-BJP president L.K. Advani arrested in Samastipur during Advani's 1990 Rath Yatra account and this is a spine thriller. Lalu writes in detail about the fodder scam, the birth of his party—the Rashtriya Janata Dal—and the BJP's reaction to Sonia Gandhi becoming the President of the Congress.

Lalu projects himself as someone who is happy with what life has dealt him, and especially with the way his son Tejashwi is shaping up as a leader. Lalu’s commitment to secularism and democracy seems genuine.

Yadav begins his journey from the fields of Gopalganj, where he describes his struggles with poverty. He has chosen to use his native tongue in places in the book, which jump out at the reader.

Yadav is clearly admiring himself in the mirror of history— his ornate sense of humour, his pathologically over-the-top manner manage to create an image that is exceptional, even if highly flawed.

This memoir, offers glimpses of what Yadav can offer, but for the most part, this side of him remains elusive.There are of course interesting political revelations. There are other instances, for example where Yadav casts George Fernandes as the man who orchestrated most of his downfalls. Yadav may or may not be the many things he is accused of, but he is, as portions of this book suggest, eternally intriguing, perplexing and unmissable. Politics in this country is poorer without his enigmatic presence.

The former Bihar chief minister then goes on to add some ‘Laluisms’, “Powerful people and powerful classes always managed to divide society into ruling and the ruled classes. And whenever anyone from the lower hierarchy challenged this unjust order, they would be deliberately punished.”

Lalu adds, “The journey of my life has been similar to those of these great men, though I make no claim to be anywhere near their stature; it would be foolish of me to do so. Throughout my political life, I have relentlessly struggled and followed the path shown by these great leaders and unflinchingly fought against the oppression of Dalits and other backward classes, as well as for the rights of the minorities. I have adopted the call of non-violence given by Mahatma Gandhi to accomplish in Bihar what Mandela, King and Ambedkar did in their times. As expected, my path was strewn with thorns, and the journey has not been easy. But I have never flinched from walking down that road. I believe in the dictum: When the going gets tough, the tough get going,”

Talking about himself now, Lalu claims that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Sangh Parivar have been rattled by his methods of communicating with people — and the people’s unadulterated love for him. “They have been against me because I gave a voice and dignity to the struggling masses, who lived in bondage. The Sangh Parivar minions intensified their campaign against me, particularly, after I halted Lal Krishna Advani in the tracks of his destructive Rath Yatra and arrested him in 1990 in Bihar. They have relentlessly spread false propaganda against me and have tried to create a negative perception about me through various instruments they control or have influence over”.

A readable book—though not earth-shaking !

PPR

17/11/2019.