In A Political Crisis, There Was No Better Person Than AP To Connect The Dots

Ahmedbhai (AP to some) was truly unique.

- Abhishek Singhvi

From Mathai to Dhawan, from Haksar to Dhar, from V George to Brajesh Mishra, from P K Misra to Nripendra Misra to Shakti Sinha, the go-to men of powerful people not only reflected in the glory of their boss, the Indian PM, but occupied powerful decision-making (including Cabinet) positions. Since Sonia Gandhi was clearly the PM candidate in 2004 and was the first (and possibly the last) sure-shot PM to decline the post in India, AP was the first such de facto or de jure political secretary to revel in glorified anonymity. None of his predecessors had cultivated inconspicuousness and invisibility with such passion, many did not desire it, few had it thrust upon themselves. AP hated the limelight, detested official recognition and accolades and elevated namelessness to a fine art. I found that the best way to tease, indeed alarm him, was to congratulate him and attribute some Congress victory or successful strategy to him. He would pause, look grim and say, “Are you my friend or enemy?”

Ahmedbhai spoke the least in any gathering, discussion or committee meeting. But he had the uncanny knack of guiding the direction and momentum of that discussion with minimal speech in not only the right direction but also towards a pragmatic solution. Not for him the long-winded rhetoric, the pompous self-promotional prattle which so many of our colleagues are habituated to, the prefatory list of self achievements which many speakers at such gatherings are wont to indulge in. A curt look, a wink to me, followed by a sarcastic interruption and the ruminations would turn back to focus and more importantly, towards a solution.