Kaka respected RKD who helped him extensively in election against L. K. Advani in 1991
Rajesh Khanna never touched the feet of any poltical leader, though always reverred old people. However, he considered the former Special Assistent to late PM Indira Gandhi n thereafter union minister in Narsimha Rao’ s cabinet R.K. Dhawan extremely significant n next to Rajiv Gandhi in status as the latter played a very prominent role in shaping his political destiny n making him victorious as MP from New Delhi.
The Punjabi connection was the key to credible relationship between the two who usually interacted with each other in the punjabi dialect. Kaka heartily regarded him n therefore touched his feet as witnessed by me on number of ocassions. BRIJ Mohan Bhama was the first hand man of RKD who always used to be with Kaka during the first election against Advani n worked hard on behalf of RKD.
Naresh Juneja, the owner of Spring Meadows Nursing Home in Greater Kailash, a Punjabi had been with Kakaji from his first election till the last from 1991 onwards who initially provided accomodation n other support system to Kaka, who was entirely new to Delhi.
His association with the superstar was rock solid, highly contributive in his political victory too during his thick n thin especially being financially n connection wise a reliable supportive friend. Raj Babber was also in close proximity to Juneja. When Kaka stepped in Delhi he stayed for the very first time in CURLS N CURVES FAME beautician, Vandana Luthra’s well furnished flat in Som Vihar appartment in RK Puram and in the second election in Naresh Juneja’s Druplex flat in Vasant Kunj till his official allotment at 81 Lodhi Estate.
If reliable sources are to be believed , the one time blue eyed man of Indira Gandhi n her Special Assistant for several years RK D as he was usually pronounced in his high up circles, was the person who suggested (to) the then Prime minister Rajiv Gandhi to invite Kaka to New Delhi in order to make him contest against the BJP heavy weight LK Advani.
Journalist Rajiv Shukla too helped Kaka during both the elections to give him important tips n help whenever Kaka required his intervention.
Dhawan’s role in inviting Kaka in active politics by suggesting the idea to the then PM Rajiv Gandhi to counter the Amitabh Bachchan’s anti Congress stance who had left the Congress then n also posing challenge to BJP stalwart Lal Krishna Advani from New Delhi were some of the pivotal reasons’ that brought Rajesh Khanna extremely close to RK Dhawan.
When things got finalised and Kaka was given the New Delhi seat as Congress’s official candidate on the directions of Rajiv Gandhi on RKD’s advise, Dhawan left no stone unturned to ensure Kaka’s upheaval victory, as the superstar was not only a political novice n new to Delhi, he was also trapped in the increased factionalism in Delhi Congress then.
It was because of Kaka’s request to Rajiv Gandhi n thereafter PM Narsimha Rao that Dhawan was specifically deputed to manage the entire election of New Delhi parliamentary constituency n ensure the superstar’s victory as the Delhi Congress during those days was in the grip of extreme factionalism between HKL Bhagat n Dhawan groups n other splinter factions as well making it difficult for Kaka to work.
However, Dhawan had stood with Kaka rock solid to ensure his victory, even calling Dimple Kapadia n her daughter Twinkle to Delhi to campaign for her husband n father Rajesh Khanna despite the stranded relations between both of them in 1991 , 92. Though despite Dhawan’s best efforts Kaka lost to L K Advani by merely 1500 votes but RKD never relented and helped Kaka to ultimately stand victorious against Shatrughan Sinha.
New Delhi being the prestigious seat for Congress even after Rajiv’s assasination senior leaders R K Dhawan n others like the Delhi Congress chief HKL Bhagat n all district Congress presidents, especially the then New Delhi chief Dr. Roshan Lal of MALCHA MARG were further instructed to ensure Kaka’s victory from New Delhi giving up their personel differences, by hook or by crook. And Kaka won finally defeating his immediate rival n Bollywood actor Shatru after compelling veteran leader n political heavy weight Lal Krishna Advani go to Gandhi Nagar Gujarat instead of retaining the prestigious New Delhi seat.
This was like killing two birds with a stone. Capturing the BJP’s stronghold n traditional seat of New Delhi by a Congress nominee Kaka from where stalwarts like Atal Bihari Vajpayee n Advani won several times was no less a great achievement. But I ‘d observed that after becoming member of parliament Rajesh Khanna’s meetings n proximity with Dhawan gradually came to a grinding halt.
Some silent differences cropped up and I thereafter never saw Kaka visiting Dhawan’s house or office as used to be the case earlier during his first n second elections while he contested against Advani n Shatru of BJP.
But there is no doubt that both the prime ministers i.e. Rajiv Gandhi and Narsimha Rao had great charm n respect for Rajesh Khanna and both of them did their best to help him to the core to make him victorious by also helping him financially to comfortably manage his two elections in a row.
Today no body is alive, all have gone to their eternal homes about whom we are talking in this story but memories of prominent icons like Rajiv Gandhi, Narsimha Rao, Rajesh Khanna n RK Dhawan never fade away.
SUNIL NEGI, Associated with Kaka then
