Patwaji was a Great and Spirited Leader : CM

Bhopal. I first met Patwaji during by-elections of 1974. I was deeply impressed by his brilliance, dynamism and eloquence. He was an exceptionally skilled organizer and vibrant leader. His amazing orational skill was widely recognized. In Vidhansabha there used to be pindrop silence during his speech.

I came closer to Patwaji in 1985 when he contested from Bhojpur constituency. We worked against time and had the privilenge to see him work closely. He had tremendous courage and dynamism. When he was State BJP president he appointed me State Yuva Morcha President. He always inspired and motivated all to live up to their potentials. He always bubbled with enthusiasm of a youth. It was only due to hard work of party workers and popularity of Patwaji that BJP came to power in 1990. His Padyatra from Bastar to Jhabua immensely increased his popularity. During the Yatra he was quite jolly and sang songs and poems. He never knew fatigue.

Patwaji lived a pure and wholesome life. Even at the age of 92 he was averse to being called a Vridha or aged. He had a very rare quality of encouraging the younger generation. After becoming the Chief Minister I received his valuable guidance from time to time. I always met him to seek his guidance in any adverse situation.

Patwaji had a deep impact on my personal life as well. I had decided to remain a bachelor, but he inspired me to be a householder and devote my life to service of society and nation.

During my tenure as Yuva Morcha president the Ram Janmbhumi movement had started at Ayodhya. Large number of Rambhaktas sacrificed their lives. After this, former Prime Minister Shri V.P. Singh visited Bhopal. We decided to oppose him. Patwaji was the Chief Minister. The administration had made fool proof security arrangements, but the Yuva Morcha succeeded in disrupting his visit. We showed black flags and held agitations.We were can-charged. In return, we pelted stones. Shri V.P. Singh staged a sit-in outside CM residence. I apprehended that Patwaji would be very angry. But to our pleasant surprise Patwaji came out and told the media that when a large number of Rambhaktas had lost their lives, a small agitation and little stone pelting would not bring down the skies.

Patwaji was a truly even-minded person. He had equilibrium of mind. When  his government was dissolved in 1992 following Ram Mandir movement, he remained calm and composed. He boarded a State Transport bus in the evening and left for Indore.

Patwaji was always ready to fight out for the cause of public. He led many agitations and protests. He observed a long fast unto death protesting against the killing of farmers in Multai by Digvijay government. He led protests against corruption and atrocities of the administration against farmers even at the risk of his life. He led an eight-day-long fast unto death at Peer Gate Bhopal.

Patwaji was a messiha of farmers. He waived off Rs. Rs. 714 crore loans of farmers for the first time in the country.

Patwaji was a strict administrator. He never gave in to any goonda element and terror.  He ruthlessly eliminated the mafia in Bombay bazar of Indore and also ruined the mafias in Bhopal.

Patwaji’s political courage is simply beyond comparison.  He made a history by defeating Shri Kamalnath in his own constituency Chhindwara.  Regarding elections, he used to say that it is like a trumpet made of carrot. If it does not work, it can be eaten. There is nothing to worry about. Generally, during polling day a candidate keeps moving a round but Patwaji in Chhindwara was relaxing.

Patwaji campaigned for the Jansangh in such a difficult time when it was unknown in villages. He used to make announcement about public meeting of Sunderlal Patwa inviting people to attend it and in the evening himself addressed it.

Patwaji was matchless in eloquence. In the Assembly, he used to attack his opponents by his sheer wit and satire. His logics used to leave the opponents like Arjun Singh, Voraji and Digvijay Singh speechless. His sarcastic remarks used to work like a sharp weapon.

For the generations to come, Patwaji’s life would remain a source of inspiration. They can learn how to live a meaningful life for the nation and the society. I salute to the departed noble soul.