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'Soldiers, money, anything for Chaudhary'

Josy Joseph in Rohtak

Retired soldiers to stage a war, any amount of money, all-party support and a whole lot of political advice. Deposed Fijian prime minister, Mahendra Pal Chaudhary, could not have asked for more from his grandfather's home state of Haryana.

Some suggestions bordered on the outrageous, some hilarious, but the patriarchs of Haryana had to proclaim their masculinity and they did, in ample measure, at a function to honour the Indian who ruled Fiji for just 12 months before being held hostage and thrown out of power.

Before the public meeting began, a song extolling the Chaudhary family's achievements and especially composed for the occasion was sung. The troupe also sang songs praising Chautala and Devi Lal, listing their achievements.

Sychopancy was the name of the game. A state government singer, when invited to sing a bhajan (prayer), said he would do so only after singing a composition in praise of Chautala.

The show was nothing more than a public relations exercise for over-zealous politicians. Representatives of all political parties attended the public meeting. Tired of their lengthy speeches, the crowd shooed them away, demanding that Chaudhary address them.

In fact, the crowd of a few thousand did not allow even Swami Omanand Saraswati, who gifted Chaudhary with vedic books and other items, to address them. However, the swami also did not appear keen to make a speech.

Speaking on the occasion, state Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala offered to send retired soldiers to Fiji in case Chaudhary needed to stage a war. "Let him ask us for any sort of help. Political, military or financial, we will give it," he thundered to a crowd of cheering villagers assembled in the Maharashi Dayanand University compound in Rohtak while Chaudhary sat poker-faced.

Chautala offered Chaudhary any amount of financial assistance for his struggle. As a token gesture, he called upon all the 16 million residents to contribute a rupee each. The amount collected is to be given to Chaudhary as a 'symbolic gesture' before he leaves India.

Comparing the Fijian leader to Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, he said, "If there is anyone today struggling to restore democracy, then it is Mahendra Pal Chaudhary."

An ailing Devi Lal, the grand old man of Haryana politics and father of Chautala, was virtually carried onto the stage. He read out, incoherently, a speech in English.

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