Jamshedpur. The Janata Dal (United) organized a centenary birth anniversary celebration for the country’s former Prime Minister, Chandrashekhar, at the city’s Milani Hall. Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Roy attended the event as the chief guest, while a large number of party workers and dignitaries also participated.
In his address, Saryu Roy described Chandrashekhar as a leader who never took criticism personally and always prioritized relationships above all else. He stated that Chandrashekhar possessed a unique personality, and it would be difficult to find another leader quite like him. He was forthright and outspoken—qualities that earned him a special place of respect among the youth.
Sharing his personal experiences, Saryu Roy recounted that his relationship with Chandrashekhar had its ups and downs—at times cordial, and at others marked by differences of opinion—yet these differences never cast a shadow over their personal bond. He recalled that during Jayaprakash Narayan’s movement, Chandrashekhar was actively involved and even served time in jail. Later, he entrusted Saryu Roy with significant responsibilities within the Janata Party.
Referring to Chandrashekhar’s historic *Padayatra* (foot march), he noted that the arduous journey spanning approximately 4,600 kilometers—from Kanyakumari to Rajghat—earned him not only national but also international recognition. During this journey, he established the ‘Bharat Yatra Trust’ across various states. Although Saryu Roy had expressed his disagreement regarding this initiative, Chandrashekhar did not take it personally and continued to treat him with affection.
Saryu Roy remarked that Chandrashekhar never attempted to conceal his relationships. Regardless of the circumstances, he never hesitated to stand by his bonds with others. Citing an example, he recounted how, when Surya Dev Singh was incarcerated, Chandrashekhar personally visited the jail to meet him, unconcerned about what others might say.
Touching upon Chandrashekhar’s tenure as Prime Minister, he noted that amidst challenging economic conditions, he took tough decisions—such as pledging the country’s gold reserves. He expressed the view that, despite his brief tenure, Chandrashekhar made significant decisions in the national interest. In this context, his supporters often rallied behind the slogan: “Four Months vs. Forty Years.” Saryu Roy recounted that, despite the differences between Chandrashekhar and Indira Gandhi, he contested and won the election for the Congress Working Committee. He further remarked that, in the present era, such independence has become a rarity.
Referring to the relationship between Chandrashekhar and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he noted that, notwithstanding their political differences, a deep bond of friendship existed between the two. The Parliament often witnessed numerous instances of banter and camaraderie between them.
During the event, social worker Shivshankar Singh also recalled Chandrashekhar’s simple and unassuming nature. He shared that Chandrashekhar’s residence in Delhi maintained an open arrangement for food and accommodation for the common people—a testament to his deep commitment to public welfare.
The program was anchored by JD(U) General Secretary Kulwinder Singh Pannu, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Metropolitan President Ajay Kumar. On this occasion, speakers hailed Chandrashekhar’s ideas as a source of inspiration for contemporary politics and called upon everyone to uphold his ideals.
