Shrikant Verma, Bansi Lal Mehta, Ashok Chatterjee, Prem Swarup Nayyar and Lalit Maken are some of the names which shall always remain etched in the history of the Congress following its game changing split in 1969 and again in 1978. In any other party, the contributions of such soldiers would never be forgotten but unfortunately in today’s Congress, there is hardly anyone who can recollect the contributions of these people, and many more, who have worked relentlessly to keep the party flag flying.
On Thursday, a memorial meeting was held at the Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya for Dr Shrikant Verma, a literary figure of great eminence, who joined politics and shaped the 1980 Parliamentary Party campaign of the Congress, which resulted in Indira Gandhi returning to power.
His famous slogan, “Na Jaat pe na paat pe, Indira Gandhiji ki baat pe, Mohar lagege Haath pe” became the catchword of the polls and enthused party workers across the length and breadth of the country to rally around their leader, thereby ending the short Janata Party rule.
Dr Verma was an intellectual giant who meddled in politics to demonstrate that literature and statecraft could go hand in hand. His deft handling of the campaign completely outwitted the opponents. His role in the victory was recognized and acknowledged not only by Indira Gandhi and Sanjay, whose selection of candidates led to a generational change in the Congress, but by every worker of that period.
Dr Verma died prematurely in 1986 when he had a lot more to offer and a grateful Congress under Rajiv Gandhi immediately brought in his wife, Veena Verma to the Rajya Sabha in his place. His contributions to the field of literature and politics were highlighted by various speakers at his Jayanti celebrations organized by his son, Dr Abhishek Verma, who is emerging as a leader with unflinching commitment to Hindutva, and is the national convener of the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde).
Dr Shrikant Verma had been successful in driving home the point that caste and communities were unimportant if one struck to the basic program for the welfare of the people. In the light of this, it is difficult to understand, why the Congress is going in for a caste census, which is divisive in nature in the present times, when unity should be the main credo.
If Shrikant Verma shaped the 1980 campaign, it was Ashok Chatterjee, then an English lecturer in Delhi College who later represented the Gole Market Metropolitan Council constituency, who coined the 1971 slogan. His call, replicated by Indira Gandhi herself was, “Woh Kehte hain ki Indira Hatao, aur mein (Indira) kehti hoon ki Garibi Hatao”. It was such a powerful narrative that it led to the complete rout of the Grand Alliance comprising Congress (O), Swatantra Party, the Socialist Party and the Bharatiya Jan Sangh. In politics, catching the emotions is as important as providing a blueprint, and this was a slogan which is even recalled till today, and opponents of the Congress continue to ask, why was poverty not eradicated, when this was the promise.
Bansi Lal Mehta, was a member of the AICC for more years than most, and though he never got his due recognition, his role in getting the hand symbol allotted to the Congress in 1978, was of immeasurable value. Mehta was close both to H.K.L. Bhagat and R.K. Dhawan but also had a direct access to Indira Gandhi. He was a good friend of S.L. Shakdher, the then Chief Election Commissioner and when the Congress split for the second time in 1978, he impressed upon him to allot the hand symbol, which Indira Gandhi wanted.
The Congress symbol of cow-and-calf had been frozen, and there were a few symbols which were offered but the then Congress president, rejected all of them. Instead, she wanted the “Hand” and this ultimately became the symbol, largely because of Mehta’s personal equation with Shakdher.
Mehta died not very long ago but even his detractors would not deny him the distinction of doing more for his party and many who were his contemporaries, and were generously rewarded by the high command. This is where the current Congress leadership should step in an give the fallen heroes their space.
There is also the story of the great fightback of the Congress during the Janata Party regime. The fight was spearheaded by Prem Swarup Nayyar and the late Lalit Maken when they staged a dharna outside the residence of then Home Minister, Chaudhury Charan Singh. The event was widely covered by the international media since the protest was against the decision of the Centre to dissolve duly elected State assemblies.
The resistance did not end there and both Nayyar and Maken then held a huge protest demonstration at the All India Radio, which was marked by violence. The message had percolated to the grassroots that the only way forward was to take on the might of the Central government to ensure that political vendetta ended. Nayyar and Maken helped in the resurrection of Sanjay Gandhi and though they later left the party to join Devraj Urs, their role was extremely pivotal.
Both Maken and Nayyar had wanted to energize the workers who were demoralized after both Indira Gandhi and Sanjay became targets of the ruling dispensation. They also helped in building the cadre strength.
The current leadership of the Congress needs to understand that it is of immense importance to remember unsung heroes. Commitment is the key word. Between us.
