NarasimhaRao has done for the laws of inertia, what even Newton couldn’t. Or so itwould seem, judging from the kudos he has received for his "inaction is thebest action" principle.
GSanjeeva Reddy, president of the Indian National Trade Union Congress and a Raoconfidant, talks about the Prime Minister very animatedly. He claims to haveobserved Rao at very close quarters since the ‘60s, the time they werecolleagues in the Brahamanand Reddy cabinet in Andhra Pradesh. "He does notcut a dynamic, heroic figure, straddling the political scene like a colossus.But then he never has," says Reddy. "He is a deep thinker and not a man ofimmediate action. And it has paid him dividends. He is still in power, hasconsolidated his position and is looking good for a second term," he adds.
Power,obviously, is the ultimate aphrodisiac and inaction goes under many aliases.
Andthe euphemisms continue. "It is not only his ability to resist the temptationto take instinctive decisions and go in for cheap popularity that has put Rao ina position of strength to lead the Congress again into the electoral fray, it isalso the fact that he has made it a point never to attack his opponentspersonally. He is really the most inoffensive, non-provocative man, as seen inhis attitude towards the Bofors scandal and the stock scam," says Reddy.Recollecting their days in the Andhra cabinet, Reddy says: "Rao never got upto say anything except when he was asked to. But when he did, he had all thefacts on his fingertips."
Reddyclaims that it is this lack of a tangible target for the opposition to attackand their inability to cast Rao as the villain of the piece, despite the"suitcase allegations and the like", that has really helped both the partyand the man.
Whatabout the Prime Minister’s reported faith in astrology and his belief ingodmen and rituals? "You must look at this in its proper perspective. ThePrime Minister comes from a upper-caste Hindu family of Telengana and believesin God. Prayer has been a part of his upbringing. He is not the sort of man whowill take a stand prematurely. He will listen to all, but do onlyw hat he thinksis right." His weaknesses? "If you must term it that, it’s his completefaith in auspicious dates and time," Reddy reveals. But his real weapon is hispatience, feels Reddy. He adds, "If two people go to him with a dispute, hewill give them a patient hearing but will remain a silent spectator while theycontinue squabbling."
