Remembering Yogiji
In these 6 years of my association with Sh. Puran Chand Yogi, popularly known as Yogiji, I myself felt that politics is not only for those who are clever and quick witted but it is also for the humble, dedicated and courageous.
Yogiji was elected for the first time to the Delhi Legislative assembly from his Rajinder Nagar Constituency in 1993 where he successfully defeated the Congress Heavy weight and key State leader Brahm Yadav. Having had ample opportunities to interact with Yogiji and getting to know his experiences, Yogi Ji once shared that when for the first time he made it to the assembly the Congress members of the Assembly used to finger point him and discussed among themselves, things which he wasn’t aware of, He further told that one day on a similar situation he questioned a Senior Congress leader & MLA. “what is it that you discuss among yourselves and finger point on me, The leader replied we share with each other that it is you Puran Chand Yogi who defeated the Congress strong Boy who was believed to never loose”. I was a 14 year lad when Yogiji contested his 2nd election in 1998, Yogiji’s charismatic persona had always been an attraction to the common masses, his friends and even his rivals and so he stood as a person I looked upto, at a tender age of 14. He again managed to bag the Rajinder Nagar Constituency in unfavourable conditions in 1998 where the BJP. was reduced to an unheard strength of mere 14 members only. It was in 2003 that I was 19 years and a law student, when Yogiji introduced me into the party. The month of November witnessed a never seen before zeal in me, the zeal to aggressively campaign for yogiji and making sure that he retains the M.L.A. tag. I accompanied him in all his padyatras to most of the areas of his constituency and finally became a part of his third Victory, a victory which the area BJP workers rejoiced as never before, for it was a hatrick offcourse.
It was 2008, the fourth Election to the Delhi Assembly with Yogiji again fielded by the Party for the Rajinder Nagar, Yogiji’s victory was certain this time also. As the Legal incharge for the constituency and an active worker I accompanied Yogiji for his Nomination Papers and Scrutiny, The BJP’S 73 year old Youth always seemed to be confident and content and never had any second thought about the outcome of the elections. On 15th of November 2008 he kick started his election campaign with high spirits and the enormous turnout of supporters was itself sufficient to demonstrate that Yogiji is invincible this time too. I even had the opportunity to cracking jokes with him the same evening. But the destiny dictated it's own terms and the next day turned to be a day of unbearable shock for every single person of his constituency. 16th November 2008 , Yogiji passed away, a morning which meant to be a permanent loss of the masses. Our beloved leader was no more with us, he had left for his heavenly adobe leaving behind his wife who always stood by him as a source of strength and encouragement , a son & a daughter and thousands of supporters who underwent a deep shock by his demise. The news of Yogiji’ death brought every leader of the state and even his opposition counterparts in a state of shock and despair. It was hard to believe that the person who has selflessly served the people is no more. I rememeber the lady in B-Block, JJ. Colony who burst into tears when she learnt of his sudden demise and said “ now who will we fight for our problems and who will get our works done, we have been left orphan”. 16th of November meant that the world has come to still. Everyone from different areas poured into his house for getting a last glimpse of their beloved leader, for some it was a loss of a great frined, or a fatherly figure but Yogiji’s demise was an unbearable loss to the society which he had nurtured selflessly in his lifetime.
Yogiji’s simple but dedicated and committed working style became the essesnce of his popularity and kept him close to his electorate. His round the clock direct accessibility and humble conviction to his job attached him to the masses which was always assured of quick redressal of their day to day problems. Yogiji’s unmatchable qualities always envied his friends and rivals for the simple reason that his persona cannot be adopted by them. Leagle eagle and BJP think tank , Sh. Arun Jaitely while remembering Yogiji remarked “ Yogiji was a gentleman politician and will always be a role model for the present and upcoming generations of Politicians”. Former Additional Solicitor Genral of India and Yogiji admirer , Sh. K. K. Sud told me that in his past association with Yogiji he had always admired his humble attitude and simplicity which were never dominated by his success. Yogiji was always admired for what he was by even by his opposition counterparts, Delhi State Minister, Smt. Kiran Walia on one of her encounter with Smt. Asha Yogi could not prevent her tears from shedding down from her eyes for the little time she remembered Yogiji. This was the sentiment cutting across party lines, where all the present and former M.L.A's of the Delhi Assembly mourned on the Humble Hero's death.
Yogiji left such a mark on the minds and hearts of the people who knew him, that something that I will be sure of is that his memories will always be cherished by them. The Hero of people of Rajinder Nagar might have lost the battle of life but has successfully conquered the hearts of all those who have known him and he will always be remembered by his admirers as YOGIJI.
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