PROFILE RAMAKRISHNA HEGDE: THE OPPOSITION’S NEW STAR Over the last few months, Hegde has emerged as the Janata party's most impressive leader. Can he replace Chandrashekhar? By Rohini Nilekani

ONSIDER THESE FACTS. The Janata party is rapidly running out of leaders. CChandrashekhar, who once seemed like the obvious Prime Minister- in-waiting has seen his credibility dis­ appear. Allegations of corruption and incompetence continue to mount up. Add to this, unproven administrative ability — he has never in his life held ministerial office and his administrative record as party president has been a disaster. George Fernandes is widely perceived as a slippery customer, and besides, he helped break up the party the last time around. Biju Patnaik is a has-been, with a reputation for wheel­ ing and dealing. Morarji Desai is a crotchety old man who has, in any case, announced his retirement. H M Patel is too old; moreover, he has no political base. Ravindra Verma is fight­ ing with the party executive. Subra- maniam Swamy has been expelled. And so on. So who does that leave? Does the Janata have anybody with a reputation for honesty, with proven administrative ability, with a regional political base, and with the political skills required to hold so disparate a party together? There is only one obvious candidate; Ramakrishna Hegde. And sure enough, in recent months, it has been Hegde who has done many of the things that Chandrashekhar should have. When Farooq Abdullah’s ministry fell in Kashmir, it was Hegde who convened a

Rohini Nilekani is a Bangalore-based free­ lance writer who frequently contributes to Imprint I /

J PHOTOGRAPH BY K PONNAPPA SUBBAIAH Imprint, August 1984 ; 29 PROFILE meeting of Opposition leaders to dis­ General Secretary was also relatively was Morarji’s prote'ge' and Chandra­ cuss the Congress (I)’s new offensive. undistinguished; he attracted httle shekhar’s confidant. He busied himself It was Hegde who was at the forefront attention and won a reputation as a with party diplomacy, for which he when the Opposition called on Giani sort of cocktail party version of soon acquired a reputation. Meanwhile, Zail Singh to complain about Mrs Chandrashekhar. In that sense, the away from state pohtics for the first Gandhi’s toppling strategies. It was elevation to the Chief Ministership of time since 1954, he maintained remote Hegde who led the walk-out of Oppo­ Karnataka in 1983 was perhaps the control over party affairs in Karnataka. sition leaders from the National Devel­ best thing to have happened to him. In In New Delhi, his background be­ opment Council meeting. And through­ this new role, he became the right man came an immediate asset. He was no out July, it was Hegde who camped in at the right place. stranger to the North. His much-vaunt­ Delhi and briefed the press on the ed prowess in Hindi had been picked Opposition’s point of view. EGDE’S f ir s t s p e l l in up at Kashi Vidyapeeth, Banaras, Barker, Hegde had emerged as the Karnataka poMtics brought where he took his Bachelor’s degree. Janata party’s canniest political leader. Hhim some success, though old At Lucknow, he completed his MA When state Congress (I) chief Veer- Mysore hands stiU gossip about the and LLB at the turn of the ’50s. Now appa Moily attempted to buy over allegations of corruption that haunted he had a chance to practise his fluent MLAs and topple his ministry, Hegde his tenure as Finance Minister. But Hindi on the Delhiwallahs. He picked had the offers tape-recorded and then, then, the Congress (O) lost power up party chatter at the capital’s cock­ played the tapes to the press. When after the spht and he spent a long tail circuits. He donned the national the Karnataka BJP unit threatened to time in obUvion. In retrospect, it was dress (kurta, churidar and a light withdraw unconditional support to his perhaps fortunate that he was arrested shawl). He even discarded his playboy government, Hegde went over its head temperament for one more suited to and secured an undertaking of support Indian politics. from Vajpayee. When the Janata His career prior From general secretary to Rajya party’s Bihar unit revolted against Sabha MP was a short step. By then Chandrashekhar’s leadership, it was to his elevation Chandrashekhar especially, had come Hegde that it appealed to in the hope to the Chief to rely on him. R K Hegde was elected that he would get th,e party back on to the Council of States in 1978. But the rails. Ministership was even as an MP, he remained primarily It has taken Ramakrishna Hegde involved with party affairs. By then, just 18 months to become one of undistinguished. of course, the Janata had begun to des­ India’s best known and most admired In Delhi he was troy itself and needed these skills. Opposition leaders. His governance of Hegde remained an MP till May 15, Karnataka has won plaudits for its known as a 1983, when his victory at Kanakpura integrity and decisiveness in the face cocktail party legitimised his chief ministership of of severe odds, and his own honesty Karnataka. He apparently saw himself has not yet been questioned. In­ version of only as a stopgap arrangement in evitably, people are talking of him as a Bangalore. After all, the situation was future Prime Minister (among them, Chandrashekhar. extremely delicate. Nobody had ex­ M V Kamath in Imprint, May 1984), pected the Janata-Kranti Ranga combi­ the Southern candidate who every­ during the Emergency and lodged at nation to win so many seats. With the body has been looking for. Bangalore Central Jail. Though he public clamouring for a quick deci­ Ironically, Hegde has never sought now quips about having used that time sion, there was no other consensus to project himself as a future leader of to learn table-tennis and to try and candidate who could emerge imme­ the party. Entirely loyal to his leader, give up cigarettes, more significant was diately. Even so, Hegde claimed that he has been content playing Horatio to the fact that such national leaders as he did not want to be Chief Minister. Chandrashekhar’s Hamlet. And to be A B Vajpayee, Madhu Dandavate and Also, his election came in for justi­ fair, he had not looked Uke a national L K Advani were also in the same jail. fied criticism on the grounds that he leader tillhe was chosen as compromise During this period, Hegde grew, by had not contested the polls. This im­ candidate for the Karnataka Chief association, from a mere Karnataka position of a man from above smacked Ministership. Before that, he had play­ leader to a national politician. And of of Mrs Gandhi politics. But the press ed a variety of roles in a low-key and course, he was witness to the birth of reaction was only mild. One editorial relatively undistinguished manner. He the Janata party. called him ‘unprepared but not un­ was Finance Minister of Karnataka, Hegde cut his Delhi teeth as General qualified’. And in the last one-and-a- but lost out by sticking with the Con­ Secretary of the ruling Janata party. half years of his stewardship, many gress (0 ) when the Indira wave swept This was in 1977, after his first taste sceptics must agree, he has been prov­ the country in 1971. When the Con­ of defeat at the hustings. In that so- ed the right man for the job. Several gress (O) merged with the Janata in called Janata wave, Karnataka remain­ times the Congress (I) came close to 1977, he got no political office and ed entirely immune. Hegde was defeat­ dislodging the tenuous ministry. Often, became instead, one of the party’s ed as Lok Sabha candidate from North only Hegde’s wits have kept the regime general secretaries. His tenure as Kanara. In the capital, however, he in place. For instance, at the start of

30 : Impnnt, August 1984 this year’s Assembly session, the toppl­ deliberately picked on rural Kanakpura fers have been made in the past year ing game was at its hottest. Moily and (urban Bangalore would have been a than in the past 25 years. Reportedly, company had ideas of seeking a no- walk-over). The area, a Vokkaliga however, these changes have been confidence motion. Hegde pre-empted stronghold, has very few Brahmin made as part of a game plan. The idea that move by calling for a vote to test votes. is to move out persons with a repu­ his party’s strength in the House. Now­ Another story about ethnic consti­ tation for dishonesty to posts which adays, the Janata government is more tuencies has often done the rounds have no direct reflection on the state confident. Even so, no one is betting locally. Hegde’s home constituency — government. Within that framework, on a full five-year term just yet. the Sirsi-Siddapura belt from where he Hegde has also moved in honest people When Hegde talks about people won his first Assembly seat in 1957 — as heads of key corporations and learning from their mistakes (see inter­ has a Brahmin pocket that had support­ boards. He now has a network of in­ view) he could well be talking about ed him. Apparently B D Jatti, ex-vice­ corruptible chiefs whom he largely himself. By all accounts, the man who president, who then belonged to a rival relies on while running the state. returned to power in Karnataka was faction of the Congress (O), saw Hegde quite different from the finance as a potential threat. Hegde and Patil l l THIS does not mean that minister of the ’60s. The lessons Hegde were then the henchmen of S Nija- Ramakrishna Hegde is a saint. seems to have learnt best were how to lingappa. When Jatti came to power as “As he himself admits, honesty keep silent and smile. In sharp contrast Chief Minister, he allegedly influenced Aand integrity have become a matter of to the reckless oratory of his predeces­ the decision to turn Sirsi into a reserv­ degree. In fact, rumours of shady deals sor, R Gundu Rao, Hegde’s delayed ed constituency. The action did not and favours conferred by him during deliveries have won him many rounds hinder Hegde’s career — he merely his term as finance minister still waft on the floor of the Assembly. Typical­ down political corridors. There is men­ ly, says a source close to him, he listens The man who tion of his closeness to the liquor first, and then smiles. The words come lobby. And the politicking required to later, after deliberate thought. returned to keep his disparate team together can In a system where defections are best be imagined. Gundu Rao claims the order of the day, where the casual Karnataka was that he has many cormption charges betrayal of the electorate no longer quite different to level against the ministry. But as of requires justification, Hegde stands out now, Hegde stands by the Lok Ayukta as a one-party politician. He became a from the finance (Prevention of Corruption) Bill, which Congress activist during the freedom m inister of the is still awaiting Presidential assent. He struggle. When the 1969 split came, he challenges people to support any chose to stay with his mentor, S Nija- ’60s. He had charges of corruption against him or lingappa and the Congress (0). In spite his ministers with affidavits. of many overtures he has not drifted learnt to keep The press has been more than kind. into the Indira camp. On one particular quiet, smile, and Openly critical of the excesses of occasion during the Emergency, he Gundu Rao, they allowed the frail new was approached again. Even Veerendra spoke after ministry to find its feet. Hegde used Path, his long-time Congress (0) the breathing space to apply immediate colleague, wavered. (After opposing deliberation. antidotes. He did away with the fancy Indira Gandhi at Chikmagalur, Patil developed a following in Haliyal, car, the fancier helicopter and the has now joined the Congress (I), and instead. entourage of guards that the ex-CM has been rewarded with a ministry.) At The Janata government, and Rama- had maintained. This found favour that time, Hegde reportedly said some­ krishna Hegde in particular, haS often with the press. He also chose to live in thing to the effect of: “Our day will talked of an experiment in value-bas­ his own home instead of the official come, wait and see.” His decision to ed poUtics. As General Secretary of residence — a move that was calculated stick with his party saw him out of the party, Hegde personally co-ordinat­ to win many admirers. The fact that power for many years but now it ed the 1982 elections in the state. One Hegde’s own bungalow is sprawling seems to have paid off. of the platform promises made to the and more than comfortable was not Unusually again, Hegde is not com­ people was that they would get an made much of. munal. For one thing, he has no natural honest government. Now Hegde him­ In fact, Hegde has mastered the art constituency. In India, that means he self admits that it has not been possible of simplicity and makes sure everyone has no caste-based constituency. Un­ to wipe out corruption, especially at knows about it. Not that Hegde has like the Lingayats and the Vokkaligas, the administrative level. But at least been an ascetic — even today, stories the two dominant communities in the the ministerial offices on the third of his taste for good living cannot be state, Hegde, a Brahmin, has no ready floor of the Vidhana Soudha have not quashed. But to watch the simple vote banks. In that context, it is a been a source of scandal. Anxious to clothes, the smiling eyes, the hands shrewd move to keep communalism consohdate his ‘clean’ image, Hegde folded in a namaste to the voters, is to from becoming an issue. For instance, made numerous transfers in the state, watch a performance that Gandhi and when selecting a constituency for the within six months of coming to power. Nehru would have been proud of. crucial Assembly election in 1983, he According to Gundu Rao, more trans­ On a normal day, his lunch, is

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32 : Imprint, August 1984 PROFILE brought from home, in a steel tiffin- now a nagging throat problem has turn­ time when the party desperately needs carrier. Typically, it is eaten in the ed into a possible nightmare. Doctors spokesmen. Moreover, with Chandra- Vidhana Soudha office over a pile of at Jaslok Hospital in Bombay operated shekhar in decline, the field is clear files. Hegde is dressed and ready by six on a white patch in his throat that was for the emergence of a new leader. every morning. After the inevitable not immediately malignant. But Hegde Plus, there is the Southern factor. Most durbar, he leaves home around 6.30 admits, for the first time, that the Opposition leaders, including Vajpayee, for a walk, after which he goes on to possibility has not been ruled out have spoken of the need tb elect a work. His mother complains that she entirely. Rumours are strong that he Prime Minister from the South. Of only gets'to see her son on television. may go to the USA for treatment, if the existing candidates MGR and NTR Understandably, that too is rare. necessary. Hegde denies this. He must are clearly ruled out: they are peculiarly Nor does Hegde have any time for be aware that his detractors would Southern phenomena and seem a little his friends and relatives from Sirsi. regard this as a betrayal of the simpli­ bizarre to most Northerners. Kerala Agriculturists from the rich areca nut city promise. has produced no leader of consequence belt, industrialists, lawyers, ex-fellow Immediately though, the illness has and the only other Karnataka leader Rotarians — these people are among had little effect, other than to force with a national reputation is the fun- the staunchest supporters of the new him to stop smoking his favourite Dun- loving, former wrestler, Gundu Rao. government. It is to Hegde’s credit that hills and to relax his vocal chords by In these circumstances Hegde is the they have not found favour because of allowing others to speak for him. obvious candidate. their friendship. Opposition members quip that Hegde’s What kind of prime minister would A professional colleague remembers ministers have made him ‘dumb’. His he make? Is he of sufficient stature to their days at the bar in Sirsi. Hegde, doctors have advised him to rest his survive as a national leader? Opinions newly returned from Lucknow, practis­ are divided. There are those who see ed law for nearly a year. His lawyer him as sophisticated, urbane, and friend recalls him as something of a His biggest reasonable; an excellent combination radical, preaching better legal aid to when it is backed with shrewd politi­ the poor, offering free services to the problem bas cal skills. On the other hand, his detrac­ ryots, etc. Few people know that he been bis health. tors argue that he is a shallow manipu­ had also spent a year at Vardha with lator who is more fortunate than Vinoba Bhave. His sister is still a sarvo- The white patch talented. They point to the confused daya activist. on his throat and somewhat immature nature of his Unusually for an Indian politician, political views (see interview) and say Hegde has no penchant for astrology. could turn that he is unimaginative and dull. When an astrologer wrote in from It is possible to make too much of Dharwar for his horoscope, he received malignant. He Hegde. Some years ago tire press no reply. It was left to an aide to dis­ may have to go showered Sharad Pawar with the same cover that Hegde’s in fact, was sort of hype (though ‘honest’ was not missing. He did his own investigations abroad for a description that was preferred in and came up with the information that that case). Pawar has yet to prove that Hegde’s birthday falls on August 29, treatm ent. the praise was justified and Hegde may 1926, and not 1927 as is supposed. meet the same fate. Hegde, if family members are to be voice at least once a week. Since vows Generally, Janata party leaders seem believed, is something of a writer and of silence have a virtue all their own to work best at the caucus level. George maintains a meticulous diary. He has and since politicians are often known Fernandes seems utterly credible when also contributed to several publications to have foot-in-the-mouth afflictions, he claims to represent the workers. in the past, and was the brain behind this may prove to be a welcome relief. Biju Patnaik’s base in Orissa is taken the Sirsi Samachar, a paper still in cir­ But Hegde will have little time for for granted, and Chandrashekhar talks culation. rest. The coming months will be the as though the Biharis all love him dear­ His friends and the press talk about toughest yet. The Congress (I) is ly. Alas, at national elections, when his sense of humour. At a recent jam­ bound to step up toppling activity, these claims are put to the test, they boree for politicians in Bangalore, he since it would not like Karnataka to be are found to be hollow. arrived dressed as a Sikh, complete a Janata stronghold during the Lok Hegde’s advantage is that despite with turban and Punjabi drawl. So Sabha elections. What has happened in his Southern base, he is not seen as convincing was the masquerade that he Kashmir could easily happen in Karna­ the candidate of any one region or was promptly named Sardar Hegde taka. The true test of Hegde’s mettle is group. His appeal, if well cultivated, Singh. It will be amusing to see if this stiU to come. could cut across the old electoral works with the Northern electorate. calculations and give Janata a fresh, Unfortunately, Hegde’s health may HETHER HEGDE will ac­ new appeal. Even if that doesn’t hap­ become a major hurdle in his career. tually amount to very much pen, his emergence has come as a plea­ When he came to office, he already W in the national sense remains sant change in a political environment had a painful stomach ulcer. But that to be seen. He is fortunate to be the dominated by squabbling old, has- was only the beginning. For weeks Janata party’s only Chief Minister, at a beens. ♦

Imprint, August 1984 : 33