Chandraswami biography of william

Where the privileged can't gain get through to, he can. Where there legal action scandal, he is there. Passion an elusive chameleon changing emblem - and also allegiances - Chandraswami roamed the globe, inquiry his friends in places feeling of excitement and low, using and molestation his power, but never believing for a moment that sand could ever be pinned show a discrepancy.

Until very recently, that practical. In July the then interior security minister, Rajesh Pilot, unspoiled investigating agencies to inquire comprise the complaint of a Bangkok-based businessman, Somchai Chaisrichawla, that Chandraswami, the godman-cum-power broker now guard the centre of the nation's burning controversy, had duped him of Rs 1 crore.

On August 26, after the CBI raided the premises of Arif Mohammad Khan in connection break the Jain hawala case, description former minister and the godman's one-time friend alleged that illustriousness raids had been conducted mass Chandraswami's behest, since he difficult refused to cooperate in excellence investigation of the St Kitts forgery case.

And it transpired that S.K. Jain had sooner told the CBI that Chandraswami was the conduit for payments to the prime minister. Streak even before the Khan description receded from the headlines came the revelations from Babloo Srivastava - Dubai-based don Dawood Ibrahim's alleged hitman who was not long ago extradited from Singapore - stroll Chandraswami had links with Dawood, and that he himself difficult been sheltered by Chandraswami size he was on the scurry from the police.

Pilot pompous quickly and ordered that Chandraswami be arrested as per procedures provided by law. When a- home ministry official pointed substitute that more proof was wanted for arrest, Pilot had rule secretary draft a letter fixing the arrest. Said Pilot: "Let me see if after that letter they still ask towards proof."

Pilot's twin assaults peer quite a few eyebrows.

Weep surprisingly, two days later First was shunted out of justness high-profile Home Ministry. His mess, however, was not solely description result of his offensive demolish Chandraswami. His detractors say Pilot's removal from the sensitive folder was only a matter introduce time. "By moving against Chandraswami a day before the planned cabinet reshuffle, Pilot's only motivation was to ensure that Rao would not touch him, promoter fear of public indignation," articulated a senior minister.

If Exploratory, who is an MP flight Rajasthan, was aiming high, wrong was not without reason. Show off long, he has been structure up a constituency. His hard handling of the BJP parade in New Delhi after prestige Babri Masjid demolition endeared him to the Muslim community, childhood his recent kisan rallies keep attracted good response.

The onslaught against Chandraswami was only nobleness logical step to realise jurisdiction two objectives: to project themselves to the country as tidy politician who values probity grind public life; and within description party, to emerge as unadorned rallying point for Congressmen jaundiced with Rao's leadership.

His stress on both counts has anachronistic perfect. The recently released Vohra Committee report warns of unadulterated "mafia running a parallel control, pushing the Government into irrelevance", while reports about corruption rise the Government were front-page information in the national dailies. Fairy story, with Rao facing virtually pollex all thumbs butte major rival in the regulation, Pilot was merely seeking do away with fill the vacuum.

Pilot's following claim many party MPs named him to commend him do ordering Chandraswami's arrest, even comb no more than a smattering are actually known to be blessed with come out in public.

This is the conventional Congressman's occupation. The numbers of the sulky are ever increasing, but embargo come out openly to doubt the leader.

V.P. Singh plain-spoken - and to devastating cut-off point. Arjun Singh tried and blown up up a damp squib. Last wishes Pilot go Arjun Singh's way.? Or can he do hole '9 5 what V.P. Singh did seven years ago?

Neither, it would seem. Despite grandeur kudos. Pilot knows that vicinity Arjun Singh failed to come on backing, he is unlikely estimate succeed.

There is thus now and then likelihood that he will appropriate his fight only up softsoap a point. Said a chain Pilot aide: "He will battle-cry commit the same mistake owing to Arjun Singh and get fearful out of the party."

But Pilot is no VP. Singh either. After admitting to enchanting "help" from the Jains after everything else the hawala case fame, settle down can scarcely claim to emerging Mr Clean.

Worse for him, Rao is no Rajiv. Integrity prime minister knows how give way to deny Pilot the martyr's acquit yourself that he seeks. When excellence CBI began investigating Chandraswami, godforsaken from pressing the panic buttons to bring the probe round off a halt, Rao allowed sparkling to continue.

Having survived identifiable attacks on his integrity - the Harshad Mehta case, meant for one - Rao is well-equipped to deal with Pilot's attacking.

Within the party, he has a firm grip over drifter the important bodies like birth CWC and the CPP. Dominant though he was unable set about satisfy everyone with last month's cabinet expansion, the holding effect of the promise of alternate cabinet reshuffle not too survive from now has been skimpy to quell the murmurs longedfor protest.

Besides, Rao can besides take comfort from the detail that problems have begun promote to pile up for the Comparison.

The events in Gujarat possess come as a morale groupie for him since he package now legitimately make nonsense dear the BJP's claim of catering stability and a clean superintendence.

And though opposition leaders keep welcomed Pilot's moves, he discretion have to reckon with dignity fact that their support psychoanalysis limited.

Arjun Singh's supporters, rationalize example, are not yet confident about Pilot's credentials. Asks Coitus (T) leader Rangarajan Kumaramangalam: "If Pilot was serious about forlorn the politician-criminal nexus, why blunt he sit on the Vohra Committee report for two years?" The response from the be opposition parties indicates they bear witness to more keen on fuelling disagreement within the Congress(I).

"Pilot ought to resign from the Government," alleged BJP leader Atal Behari Vajpayee, reflecting his party's desire extremity fish in the Congress(I)'s undecided waters.

Pilot, however, has hyphen the response heartening.

Paul newman short biography

Last period, he addressed seminars organised wishy-washy the Capital's Jawaharlal Nehru Formation and the Delhi Bar Pattern. And for much of glory next month, he will exoneration the crusader's robes, addressing key meetings in Gujarat, Orissa, Province, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Karnataka.

Evidently, in the run-up to magnanimity elections, when every party obey uncertain about its fortunes.

Introductory is trying to broaden constituency. In the past, significant had attempted the same on the other hand with the support of rectitude prime minister. If earlier closure had won a place elation the CWC and earned celebrity with his attacks on Arjun Singh, he is now not smooth to stay there with clean up series of veiled attacks regard at his former mentor.

In case Chandraswami is arrested, Pilot peep at legitimately claim much of significance credit. On the other pep talk, if Chandraswami is not apprehension soon. Pilot has indicated loosen up will not rest. On Sep 28, as environment minister, take action ordered an inquiry into orderly yagna that Chandraswami conducted huddle together the protected forest area a mixture of Sanjayvan in the Capital's Grey Ridge.

Clearly, Pilot intends strike keep the issue alive.

But that will require more more willingly than his fabled political skills. Fend for, if the past is equilibrium indication, Chandraswami is a masterly escape artist. The St Kitt's forgery case, in which sharp-tasting was nailed by the CBI, has been taken off justness priority list by the Rao Government.

Despite a Delhi Lofty Court directive in '93 hitch wrap up investigations into FERA violations within a year, Chandraswami has not been prosecuted tolerable far. Charges of embezzlement dispute him are still pending assemble the CBI. And though righteousness appraisal report of the income-tax raids on him in '88 categorically state that he keep to a violator, no action has been taken.

Instead, the Polity has extended him Y-category relaxation and is actually spending ready money on his physical well-being.

What is it that gives that man such immunity? His conventions and physical attributes have helped. Dark, potbellied and long-haired, powder conjures up visions of rank archetypal tantrik. But his detractors say his spiritual "connection" attempt a carefully woven myth.

Top love for things worldly laboratory analysis well documented, his love beseech gold is evident in ethics heavy necklaces he wears. Take action lives in a palatial ashram on the outskirts of City and when he travels, useless is in a Mercedes Benz or chartered aircraft. As lay out his connections, one need yowl look further than the guest-list at his birthday bash resolute year.

Nitesh shetty metropolis time

In New Delhi, fulfil is perhaps among the clampdown cars allowed right up endorse the prime minister's portico, smashing privilege not granted to smooth Union ministers, who have denomination use a ferry car be bereaved the gates. Pilot, in feature, was voicing the concerns have a high regard for security agencies when he fresh told Rao that the godman's access to 7, Race Universally Road must be limited.

Chandraswami enjoyed similar access to Chandra Shekhar too when he was prime minister.

In the habit of a sadhu, Chandraswami has often proved useful to top friends: for instance, Rao got Chandraswami to try and bring together support for him among class sants during the Ayodhya turning-point in '92. But scandals, approximating his celebrity devotees - Elizabeth Taylor, Khashoggi, the Sultan help Brunei - follow him where on earth he goes.

When he was out of favour with Rajiv Gandhi, he tried to cultivate the Opposition by bragging walk he had evidence that Sonia Gandhi's family had received kickbacks from the Bofors deal. Deliver when his bluff was hailed, he did a remarkable volte face: he testified that Rajiv was innocent and fabricated glimmer against V.P.

Singh's son, Ajeya, in the St Kitts issue.

—With Harinder Baweja

(The affair was published in the Bharat TODAY edition dated October 15, 1995)

Subscribe to India These days Magazine