The hero is down but not out. Dissatisfied with the Election commission’s verdict he is all set to move the court to appeal for a recount. but irrespective of the outcome he is determined to give another fight to ‘is rival Emboldened by his unexpectedly good show he throws up an open challenge to his opponent whose far greater in stature and repute. I cannot be written off. I will bounce ask the next time says Rajesh Channa a political greenroom who save a scare to the BJP ex-chief LK Advani in the just concluded Lok Sabha elections from the prestigious New Delhi constituency.

He looked relaxed in his temporary residence in a south Delhi colony and spoke on his future plans with anew found confidence.

Q, Your defeat is being considered in the political circles a psychological victory for you. Your supporters say it was an honorable defeat for you and a humiliating victory for your opponent. How do you look at it?

A, Let me tell you first that I have not lost. The election staff manipulated the result. I will accept defeat only after the court verdict is announced. But even if one accepts the official result I think I achieved a moral victory over Advani ji. Remember you all had dismissed me when my candidature was announced. People had said i was going to lose badly. But the out core is before you. I am satisfied with my performance.

Q, You did not take your defeat sportingly and did not even shake hands with the winner?

A, After the result was announced I tried to contact Advani but he had already gone. I respect him. He is my senior.

Q, Your candidature announced at the last minute had really surprised everyone There was a lot of heart burning on the party. The aspirants for this hot seat had said you were an outsider and thus stood no chance against the BJP stalwart. Some of the local leaders did not even campaign for you have their attitude changed in view of a stiff fight put up by you?

A, Some of them had already mellowed down during campaigning once they saw my sincerity. Now they are all solidly behind me. Most of some were generous enough to say sorry. They have assured me they will do their best if I am given another chance. Party heavyweights went to the extent of saying that I have won seat for the party by giving a scare  Adventist Sitaran Kesari called me and said he was impressed with have received that cod will of my party men. All of them ave been very encouraging I am touched by their gesture.

Q, But Advani’s supporters say his periodic absence from the constancy helped you amass votes. They say you cashed in on his absence

 A, What nonsense. Did Gandhi camp n Amethi to win by a huge margin?

In Advaniji’s absence his 16000 WORKER reminding the voters that the Temple was the main issue and it will the best tackled by him. Besides he had a bigger infrastructure and he was a sitting MP .the odds favored him and not me.

Q, How will you describe your debut in the elections?

A, l have had the experience of campaigning for my party men. But yes campaigning for me was 3 different experiences. i have had a chance to see life from close.

I have emerged richer in experience. It’s not a make believe world offilmIt was an experience of a life time when I embraced reality In films the hero emerges victorious in’ three hours. But to be a hero in real life you have to struggle all the time.

Q, Do you miss the film world? Do you plan to stick on in politics or return to the tinsel town?

A, I have started getting phone calls from Bombay. But have no plans to resume film activity just now. I have commitments to fulfill. I will serve the people here.

Q, How?

A, As i have been saying I will spend 15 days here and the rest 15 days to film in Bombay. But I will spend more time in the Capital to start with.

Q, Now that your mentor is dead do you feel uncomfortable in the party? Do you for see some trouble for yourself?

A, I am definitely not a onetime affair would like to be part of parcel of the party the party high command takes me seriously.

Q, Will you translate your political experience into film making?

A, My films now will be more purposeful thanks to seeing life from close quarters But they will not be a documentary on my experience in politics. They will basically remain commercial but more purposeful.

Article extracted from this publication >> June 28, 1991