Rajiv, riding a sympathy wave, wins 415 of the 542 LS seats in the 1984 elections,the largest ever majority in the history of Indian Parliament. The media hails him as ‘Mr Clean’, but his reformist zeal is clogged in a coterie raj. His jaunts across the country and controversial holidays with his circle of friends become the butt of criticism.
Rajiv signs a string of accords,mostly ineffect -ual, with Longowal (top) and Assam student leaders; and a poll pact with Farooq Abdullah. In 1987, he signs the Indo-Sri Lanka accord with Jayawardene, agreeing to send a peacekeeping force. While inspecting a guard of hon -our in Colombo, a Lankan soldier assaults Rajiv with his rifle , narrowly missing his head.
