On the morning of the appointed day, I telephoned her to make sure that she was keeping her appointment. A little later she arrived, in a Contessa, with two companions. I had informed my daughter and daughter-in-law about her coming to see me. Both were up early and ready with their cameras. Both were totally indifferent to political vips but for them Phoolan Devi was a personality with grit and brio. My Vasant Vihar neighbours also got wind of the visit and their household staff came out to have a glimpse of the Bandit Queen.
The purpose of the visit! She had been approached by several political parties to enterthe political arena. One chief minister had even offered to provide her with a helicopter.She, however, wanted to join the Congress Party. Could I introduce her to Sonia Gandhi?I have found out that you know her well. She also wanted me to take her toP.V. Narasimha Rao. All the time she was patting our dog, who obviously liked thecelebrity visitor. I promised to do what I could. I did but things did not work out theway she wanted. The Samajwadi Party finally claimed her.
She was almost illiterate and had some difficulty in taking her oath in the Lok Sabha.That did not bother her. Going out of Gate No. 1 she was accosted by a TV reporter. Hethought he would get the better of her. Phoolanji, you could not even take the oathproperly, what will you do in the Lok Sabha? I was standing immediately behind her.Her answer was prompt and devastating, I vividly remember. I shall do better thanall those who have been messing around here for 50 years.
The extensive media coverage of her death shows how she had captured the imagination ofdifferent segments of our society. It is a perfect case of poacher turned gamekeeper.
