At a time when Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is all set to fight most crucial battle of her life-time, the young Gandhi will may be better off taking a leaf out of electoral campaigns of her father Rajiv Gandhi and uncle Amitabh Bachchan.

Author-Journalist Kumkum Chadha’s new book “The Marigold Story –Indira Gandhi and others (Tranquebar 2019) is laced with many interesting anecdotes and episodes that makes compelling reading. In 1990, Kumkum had travelled with Rajiv from Delhi to Rajasthan when the former prime minister was out of power. Rajiv was traveling in third class, non air-conditioned compartment that had wooden seats. Rajiv, who had been Air India pilot, was most comfortable, milling around with ordinary folks when the temperature was over 40 degree Celsius and personal security was lax. Throughout the journey, Rajiv kept savouring samosas, butta (corn-on-the-cob) and sipping sugary tea. Each time a station came, Rajiv would ask close associate H K L Bhagat to look for some food, “dekh, khane ko kya mil raha hai.” Bhagat, perhaps instructed by Sonia Gandhi who was not traveling with her husband, would trudge up and down the station to return empty handed, “aapke layaq nahin hai, Rajiv jee” (Nothing up to your standard sir).

Recalling journey with Rajiv, Kumkum remembers train stopping at every station, Rajiv admirers strength growing exceptionally and persons of all age group, caste, creed curious to see the passenger occupying seat number 42, “bas ek baar dekhna hai.” The trip had many objectives. It helped Rajiv connect with the masses and “real” India, helped him take stock of the ground level situation and tried to erase his elitist image. The Congress president got a taste of factionalism within the party when was personally witness to fist-cuffs among supporters of Rajesh Pilot and Natwar Singh. In present day context, Priyanka and Rahul must ponder why after near thirty years, Pilot junior and Ashok Gehlot supporters in Rajasthan continue to be at the loggerheads.

The three day train journey helped Kumkum understand how masses viewed him. Each time he stood on footboard of the train, smiling and waving at the crowd, the journalist recorded many comments, Aapko wapas layenge (We shall bring you back), Hanste bhi hain (Rajiv actually laughs).

In 1984, actor Amitabh was pitted against Hemvati Nandan Bahugana, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and a politician among politician, from Allahabad. Bahugana was initially dismissive of actor’s presence in electoral arena describing him a green horn, a “bhand” (bafoon) and “lambu.” Amitabh, on his part, focussed on Indira assassination and his friendship with Rajiv. “Jab maine Indira je eke shareer ko Inhi dono haaton mein uthaya” (when I had carried Indira Gandhi’s body in my hands).

During his election speeches, Amitabh largely spoke about positive politics and whipping people’s sentiments by recounting how Rajiv had lost his mother and the nation a prime minister. Bahugana, on the other hand, kept ridiculing Amitabh. Kumkum quotes Bahugana asking Allahabad voters, “Tell me, if you do not like jalebis from one halwai, you would go to another? Or instead go to a darzi (tailor)?” Bahugana’s concerted attempts to drive home a point that politics should be best left to politicians than film stars failed to cut any ice with the masses.

The attention-grabbing campaign style of Jaya Bachchan is worth essaying for Priyanka. The actor’s wife chose the relationship mode, projecting herself as bahu of Allahabad. Chadha, Kumkum field experience in journalism spreads over four decades, recalls Jaya’s Hindi words, “Hamare liye to yeh [Allahabad] susural hai. Jab bahu susral mein aati hai toh usse moohn-dikhai milti hai. Hamain sau rupaye mat deejiye, hamain vote deejye.” (this is my in-law’s home. I have come here as a bride. It is customary to give something to the bride. I do not want notes, please give me votes). To the young, Jaya was able to establish a rapport instantly, “main Bhabhi hoon.. main aap dever logon ko hukum de sakti hoon” (I am your sister in law, I can command my brother-in-laws) to fetch votes.

Kumkum’s, “The Marigold Story: Indira Gandhi & Others” unravels the hitherto unknown aspects of eleven men and women who remain a significant part of India’s history. Other than Amitabh and Rajiv, L.K. Advani, Smriti Irani, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Arun Jaitley figure in full-length chapters. The award winning journalist has been former Editor, National Affairs of Hindustan.

[Author-Journalist Rasheed Kidwai is a visiting Fellow of te Observer Research Foundation. He tracks government and politics and considered a specialist on Congress party affairs.]