At a time when political spotlight is on Kangana, it is worth looking back at Amitabh Bachchan’s short but eventful stint as Lok Sabha MP from Allahabad as a Congress MP and close friend of the then pm Rajiv Gandhi.
Kangana Ranaut’s candidature from Mandi Lok Sabha has generated a lot of interest and curiosity. Some view her nomination as a BJP nominee as a likely winner. If Kangana wins, she will be joining a long and illustrious list of Bollywood film stars who won Lok Sabha polls such as Amitabh Bachchan, Vyjayanthi Mala, Sunil Dutt, Hema Malini, Shatrughan Sinha, Raj Babbar, Govinda, Vinod Khanna and others. However, the political turf for Bollywood superstars has been a tricky, treacherous one.
At a time when political spotlight is on Kangana, it is worth looking back at Amitabh Bachchan’s short but eventful stint as Lok Sabha MP from Allahabad as a Congress MP and close friend of the then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Amitabh’s formal entry in politics had been swift. Soon after Indira Gandhi’s assassination, fresh elections were called and Rajiv was looking for “giant killers” to take on the likes of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Hemvati Nandan Bahugana and others. Rajiv’s cousin Arun Nehru proposed Amitabh’s name and a telephone call was arranged. Rajiv did not have to insist upon his friend. Arun Nehru believed Amitabh was rather keen to jump into the political bandwagon. The day Indira was assassinated, Teji had shown presence of mind to pick Rahul and Priyanka from St. Columba’s and Convent of Jesus & Mary School, New Delhi on October 31, 1984 noon time, much to the side of Rajiv Gandhi (who was away in Bengal) and Sonia who had taken Indira to hospital. Rahul and Priyanka had stayed at Bachchan’s Gulmohar Park residence for most of the day on October 31, 1984.
Amitabh had a disastrous stint in politics as Rajiv Gandhi was sucked into controversy after controversy – Bofors, Fairfax and the HDW deal.
Amitabh’s name figured in several scandals in which Rajiv Gandhi was the principal character. The Swedish newspaper ‘Dagens Nyhter‘ had written that the Bachchan brothers along with Rajiv Gandhi were recipients of kickbacks in the multi crore Bofors gun deal resulting in a libel suit in the British courts and Amitabh eventually quitting politics. The Bofors scandal was not the only reason for Amitabh withdrawing from the political arena like a ‘wounded gladiator’ , an image that he himself has skillfully promoted over many years.
Years later, Indira Gandhi’s close aide Makhanlal Fotedar shared some indispensable insights into the star’s political manoeuvrings that ultimately led to his departure. Fotedar in his memoirs, “The Chinar Leaves” [HarperCollins India] wrote that when Amitabh became Member of Parliament from Allahabad between 1985-87, the actor had become extremely powerful. ‘I was also getting reports about Amitabh’s interference in the appointment and transfer of officers in the ministries.’ Fotedar claims that many senior party leaders used to complain against what he describes as ‘Amitabh’s interference in administrative matters.’ Explaining Fotedar writes, ‘Allahabad is a place of academicians, intellectuals, judges and lawyers.
However, Amitabh gave charge of his constituency to a person whom people did not take seriously. I never reported to Rajivji about Amitabh’s functioning, Fotedar wrote, insisting that Amitabh used to interfere in matters relating to U.P (then a Congress ruled state ) and beyond –‘In matters concerning Madhya Pradesh , Rajasthan and Maharashtra.’ Fotedar who was then political secretary to Rajiv Gandhi recalls that he was once told by Rajiv that Amitabh wanted ‘XYZ’ as chairperson of the women’s wing in Rajasthan. ‘I mentioned the matter to Haridev Joshi, the chief minister. Haridev refused to appoint her saying ‘ I will have anyone except her.’
Until today, Gandhis and Bachchans have been extremely tight-lipped about the reasons that caused their differences. For years, Delhi’s Raisina Hills that houses the country’s politicians, word was that the two illustrious families fell out over money. But all those who know Gandhis and Bachchans discount this theory.
According to them, the Bachchans’ problems with ABCL may have aggravated and further strained ties, but it was not the prime reason for the canker that had set into their friendship. Family insiders from the two sides say Gandhi-Bachchan ties should be seen in the context of a more down-to-earth story of human failings. It was also a combination of clash of personalities, ego and one-upmanship amid failures and tragedies. Moreover, in the tale of friendship spread over nearly seven decades, the acrimony forms just about a one-sixth part of their lives.
While the Bachchan-Gandhi friendship was taken to another level after Indira’s assassination when Amitabh joined politics; Sonia Gandhi, it is said, was never comfortable in film industry circles. When India had a young, good looking man like Rajiv as the prime minister, many women reportedly made overtures to him. Among these was a leading film actress, who wished to ensure an assembly ticket for her father in Tamil Nadu and flaunted her links with Amitabh in the process. The image conscious Gandhis were uncomfortable with the fact that the actress was using the name of their best friend.
At this juncture, Sonia is said to have felt that bringing the film industry morality into friendship was something that was best avoided.