The word "politician” immediately brings certain adjectives to the minds of people- corrupt, ruthless, untrustworthy etc.- but cooperative, patriotic, and selfless are some very few would pick. Here is an exemplary story from the impeccable political life of the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee or Atalji- probably the best prime minster India has ever had, and sometimes would ever have. This is a story of a conspiracy by the top leaders of opposing political parties, “conspiring" to cover up a controversy for the cause of national insterest- a cause very rare to be heard of in these days of filthy political blame games.
![]() |
Image source: http://punjab.bjp.org/leadership/shri-atal-bihari-vajpayee/ |
In 1996, when Narasimha Rao government was approaching the final days, a probable defence scam was brought to surface through a story by the Indian Express. It was the Sukhoi fighter jet deal with the Russians. As with any large scale defence deals, much like the Rafael jet controversy doing its rounds now, the opposition- BJP- was quick to take up the controversy and protests started errupting. The deal was perceived as a probable fund-raiser for the upcoming election campaign of Narasimha Rao. Else why was there a hurry to sign such a significant deal, which otherwise would have taken a sweet amount of time?