It was about 8 in the morning and I was home, working on my computer, whenthe phone rang. It was Sushma (Swaraj). There was shock in her voice. "Appa, Balayogiji ka accident ho gaya hai helicopter mein and he isno more." (Balayogi has died in a helicopter crash). I was stunned. I justcould not believe it. Later I was told that there was a condolence meeting atAndhra Bhavan. I rushed there. Some MPs from Andhra and some Parliamentofficials were already there. I still couldn't take it in that Balayogiji was nomore. Both Jaya Prada and I broke down even as we spoke of the unfortunateaccident.
There are two photographs of Balayogi at Andhra Bhavan. In one he is smiling inthe other he looks serious. I remember I used to tell him, Balayogiji before youbecame Speaker you had a smile on your face. But since then, your moustacheseems to have drooped downwards because of all the tension. Your face has becomeserious. I really used to tease him about this!
He was a very reserved man. I interacted a lot with him on trips abroad. Iremember we had gone to Moscow for a conference of the InternationalParliamentary Union (IPU). He was leading the Indian delegation. I noticed thathe always ate his meals in his room and did not attend any of the receptions anddinners in the evening. He prefered to keep to himself. I advised him to attendthe parties and after that he made it point to show up. He later remarked tosomeone: "Najmaji is a very decent person. She really looks after me."
During that conference I was elected Vice President of the IPU. Afterwards Irung him up and invited him to join us at an Indian restaurant to celebrate mygetting elected. And he was so happy for me. "Why didn't you tell me? heasked. "We could have helped you and lobbied for you." Later on henominated me as India's candidate for the President of IPU.
I saw more of him outside India than inside. As the leader of internationalparliamentary delegations he was always very conscious and considerate. He knewthat some members are particular about their food - strict vegetarians - so heused to always ask the Indian ambassador to book the delegation in a hotel withan Indian restaurant or find one nearby. And he always took us out for a meal atdesi restaurants abroad.
I have seen him grow in the Speaker's chair and gain in confidence by the day.He was quick to master the art of being firm but polite. Sometimes we used tocall each other and share our agonies about happenings in both the Houses. Headdressed me as Madam and I called him Speaker Saheb.
I remember once when we had to unveil a portrait at the Parliament House Annexe.The painting titled `Panorama of Change' showed Jawaharlal Nehru taking oath.Balayaogi invited Soniaji to honour the artist and give the shawl. It just showsthe respect he had for her and for that matter for every MP in the House. It isno mean task to handle the Lok Sabha but he somehow managed to win everyoneover.
The last time I saw him was on February 28. We had all gone to pay our tributeto Morarji Desai. We stood in one line -- the Speaker, myself, Deputy Speakerand Leader of Opposition. Balayogi was standing next to me and that day I hadworn a very colourful shawl. He was quick to notice this. "Madam, today youare wearing a very colourful shawl." I laughed and later told him that Iwanted to meet him and discuss about the oncoming IPU conference. He said wecould meet for lunch when the House adjourns. He later cancelled the lunch sincehe was tied up with something that had suddenly come up.
My heart goes out to him and his family not only in my capacity as the deputychairperson of the Rajya Sabha but also as an elder sister. When we flew toHyderabad to pay our condolences Somnathda (Chatterjee) made a telling comment:"In politics we fight so much. But for what? We don't even know what thenext moment has in store for us."
As I wrote in the condolence book tears were rolling down my cheeks. I havebegun to dread Sundays. Jitendra Prasad, Rajesh Pilot, Madhavrao Scindia and nowBalayogiji have all left us on what normally is the laziest day of the week.