Mangaluru: A four time MP from Mangalore parliamentary constituency, he was once closely associated with the Nehru-Gandhi family. Standing by Indira Gandhi during the great Congress split of 1980 , he enjoyed great respect and power during the Rajiv Gandhi and P V Narasimha Rao regimes and is now getting ready to come out with a tell- all autobiography that many in political circles are awaiting with some anticipation.
Senior Congress leader, B Janardhan Poojary, has set tongues wagging with his decision to write his autobiography. Having been closely associated with several major developments in the Congress for some 15 years, its believed the book could have information on the Gandhi family that few can claim knowledge of.
“I have started writing my autobiography and completed about 150 pages,” the 79 –year- old disclosed, in an informal chat with Deccan Chronicle.
“Earlier I thought of dictating it. But now I have started writing it myself,” he smiled, adding, “This book will have only true facts about my life. It will have my life history and some of the important and interesting developments in the party which I was a witness to.”
While admitting that a few details in the book could upset some leaders, he however declared, "I have to write the truth and cannot change facts to please someone." Saying he was not sure when the book would be ready, he advised, “Wait for a while and you will see it. I cannot give you a deadline.”
For some , the wait could be agonising as besides being minister of state for Finance and Rural Development in the Indira and Rajiv governments, the veteran leader has also served in various capacities in the party, such as general secretary of the AICC and chief of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee for two terms. His leadership in the ‘Loan Mela,’ in the 1980s earned him the nickname ‘Badavara Bandhu.’
