Raju Korti
In my three-decade career as a journalist, I have met two Maharashtra-based politicians who could be given the benefit of doubt of being considered as handsome. One was Rajarambapu Patil, the sugar baron from Walwe tehsil of Sangli district and the other; twice chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.
Patil, was of course, cast in the typical westernMaharashtra mould. Looking at him, it occurred to me that with his height and face, one could look debonair even clad in a simple cotton dhoti.
At one of his election meetings – ironically soon after the one held by then chief minister Vasant Dada Patil, his rival in the same cooperative sector – I told the ever-smiling Rajarambapu that he could also diversify as a film hero. Never confronted with a compliment like that, Bapu, going into his sixties, was flummoxed for several minutes before it sunk in. He actually blushed and just shook his head, but I could see he was genuinely thrilled. Putting an affectionate arm around me, he made me sit next to him and shared one of the best rustic meals I have ever been treated to. In those days I keenly followed the cooperative lobby inMaharashtra thanks to Vasant Dada Patil who acquainted me with the intricacies of the movement. So pleased was Bapu with me that he insisted I be his guest for two days. Like his appearance, he jealously guarded his reputation as a magnanimous host and by the time I took his leave, I was in the awe of the man. Not just for his good looks but for his dignified demeanour. This was sometime in 1981.
Around this time, Vilasrao had just made his maiden entry into the legislative assembly having had his political grinding, first as Zilla Parishad member, then as Sarpanch of his hometown Babhulgaon and as a youth Congress leader. However, it wasn’t until 2003 and 2004 when he ascended the chief ministerial gaddi that I had an audience with him. I happened to tag a fellow journalist who had an interview appointment with him Although a mere piece of furniture in that meeting, it was me who broke the ice. Vilasrao himself gave the opening. He had fished out a comb from his kurta and was styling his already elegant flick of the hair. Later, I learnt that Vilasrao was fond of “combing operations” as I called it.
“You could double up as a Marathi film hero”, I told him, not sure how he would react to a crack like that. His facial muscles broke into a sheepish but pleased smile. I guess he wanted to say something to that but stopped just in time probably seized of the office he held. It is another story that this obligation to history was fulfilled by his son Riteish. Vilasrao must have had it in him. When handling the Culture portfolio, he hobnobbed with stage, theatre and art, a fascination he carried far enough to fall into the wilderness of an insignificant portfolio of the union cabinet when he took producer Ram Gopal Verma and actor-son Ritesih to the November 2008 terror attack sites.
As an individual, Vilasrao was flamboyant, but his traits were typically Congress. He could never summon the courage to take onDelhi
His party bosses knew his strong affiliation with the grassroots was his biggest asset and couldn’t afford to antagonize him beyond a point. Those who knew him closely, were familiar with the Stephen Leacock-ish humour to his side. I have seen few people with a smile that could have different connotations as Vilasrao did.
This is no comparison between Bapu and Vilasrao. Both came from different backgrounds and nursed different values -- political and otherwise. There was one common chord though. Both did justice to their names. You may read between the lines.
Patil, was of course, cast in the typical western
At one of his election meetings – ironically soon after the one held by then chief minister Vasant Dada Patil, his rival in the same cooperative sector – I told the ever-smiling Rajarambapu that he could also diversify as a film hero. Never confronted with a compliment like that, Bapu, going into his sixties, was flummoxed for several minutes before it sunk in. He actually blushed and just shook his head, but I could see he was genuinely thrilled. Putting an affectionate arm around me, he made me sit next to him and shared one of the best rustic meals I have ever been treated to. In those days I keenly followed the cooperative lobby in
Around this time, Vilasrao had just made his maiden entry into the legislative assembly having had his political grinding, first as Zilla Parishad member, then as Sarpanch of his hometown Babhulgaon and as a youth Congress leader. However, it wasn’t until 2003 and 2004 when he ascended the chief ministerial gaddi that I had an audience with him. I happened to tag a fellow journalist who had an interview appointment with him Although a mere piece of furniture in that meeting, it was me who broke the ice. Vilasrao himself gave the opening. He had fished out a comb from his kurta and was styling his already elegant flick of the hair. Later, I learnt that Vilasrao was fond of “combing operations” as I called it.
“You could double up as a Marathi film hero”, I told him, not sure how he would react to a crack like that. His facial muscles broke into a sheepish but pleased smile. I guess he wanted to say something to that but stopped just in time probably seized of the office he held. It is another story that this obligation to history was fulfilled by his son Riteish. Vilasrao must have had it in him. When handling the Culture portfolio, he hobnobbed with stage, theatre and art, a fascination he carried far enough to fall into the wilderness of an insignificant portfolio of the union cabinet when he took producer Ram Gopal Verma and actor-son Ritesih to the November 2008 terror attack sites.
As an individual, Vilasrao was flamboyant, but his traits were typically Congress. He could never summon the courage to take on
His party bosses knew his strong affiliation with the grassroots was his biggest asset and couldn’t afford to antagonize him beyond a point. Those who knew him closely, were familiar with the Stephen Leacock-ish humour to his side. I have seen few people with a smile that could have different connotations as Vilasrao did.
This is no comparison between Bapu and Vilasrao. Both came from different backgrounds and nursed different values -- political and otherwise. There was one common chord though. Both did justice to their names. You may read between the lines.
