It was in July last year that Pramodji, while leaving my room at the Escorts’ Hospital, wished me a speedy recovery and said, “Get well fast, you have to go to Bihar.”

That was Pramodji, as we all affectionately called him—one man for all seasons. He was a total political being. Even if he had a slight possibility of recovery at the Hinduja Hospital, he would be thinking of his next political assignment. The man had more fire in the belly than any of his colleagues. That’s what made him stand out.

He was a solid party man. The BJP’s interest was the bottomline of his politics. He was the most active participant in any BJP meeting or activity. He always came prepared. At times, with a small notepad, with points written on it. He was made of serious stuff. Nothing was casual or off the cuff. He was never neutral in a debate. He always had a strong viewpoint. He argued his case logically. He was at the centrestage of all party meetings. Without him, the BJP meetings will never be the same again.

Much that he had a strong viewpoint, he always submitted to collectivism. His shradha for both Atalji and Advaniji was immense. If he realized that either of them had a strong opinion on a subject he yielded to it immediately.

I always got the impression that his real Guru on organizational matters was Bhagwatji from Maharashtra from whom Pramodji learnt his lessons in the act of organizing. He quoted frequently from what his Guru had told him in a given context.

... contd.