The crown with a thorn in the flesh

“If am I unable to go today,it’s his (Kashyap’s) loss,” he shrugs,noting that the minister has been anxiously calling him to know when he would be arriving.

When Kamal first announced his intention to join politics this March,the speculation was he would choose the Congress. The Surguja royals of north Chhattisgarh,with whom the Devs have family ties,have been with the Congress for decades. “I was invited by all major parties,” claims Kamal. “The Congress,CPI,SP,NCP,even Aam Aadmi Party. One senior AAP member flew down from Delhi to meet me.” According to him,he went with the BJP because grand-uncle Praveer had hostile relations with the Congress in the 1960s and died in a palace firing by the police under the party’s government. Besides,Kamal says,only the BJP can provide development.

The London School of Economics alumnus announced his decision to join politics on March 25,the same date as the police firing in 1966.

Another speculation was that the promise of a ticket from Jagdalpur swung Kamal towards the BJP. The ticket,however,went to sitting BJP MLA Santosh Bafna. Today though Kamal refuses to be drawn into the controversy. “I am above this,” he proclaims. “I am ready to do anything the organisation asks me to.” It is a clear distinction between the ‘party’ and the ‘organisation’ — the BJP and RSS.

In between he keeps fielding calls. “Nahin,nahin. Aisi koi baat nahin hai (No,no,there is nothing like that),” he replies. Later,Kamal explains that the calls were about a report in a Hindi daily that the annoyed royal would not campaign for the BJP. “These newspapers publish anything,” he complains,only half-heartedly. “I am getting calls from all over. The CM house called just now.”

It’s past 12 by now,the weather still inclement. The Narayanpur campaign was the only thing on his schedule for that day and he seems at a loss.

While BJP visitors are few — in the last 90 minutes,he hasn’t had any — he keeps talking about the calls he gets. Another favourite subject is the “glorious” Dev family past. According to Kamal,the division of the huge territory of Bastar into seven parts was also “the vision of Maharaja Praveer”.

“We are the first rulers of Bastar… That wild bison you see,” he adds,pointing to an animal head hanging on the wall,“these horns are a world record”.

He also shows on his phone a recent news report in an English daily saying he would swing the entire Bastar for the BJP. “This story made me a national hero,” he claims,adding that the reporter clarified to him that the quotes he had added about the Congress expressing scepticism were “just for balance”.

Not that he is much worried about the media,Kamal expounds. Around 20 cousins of his hold prominent positions in various media houses in Delhi,he claims. “I can get anything published anywhere,but it would be improper.”

Kamal can’t seem to remember their names though,nor find their numbers on his phone. “There are many,” he says,with a sweep of his hands,“in my other phones. I’ve 18-19 mobile phones,they are all charging now.”

“From which publication are you?” Kamal adds. “I must have some cousins in yours too.” 

It’s 1 pm and finally a BJP man comes to discuss his schedule. Kamal rules out travel in the bad weather.

Around 1.30 pm,some tribals visit the palace. They have not come to meet Kamal though; they are just curious visitors,looking at the guns and chandeliers.

According to Kamal though,this only proves what he has been saying. “People keep coming here. Congress candidate (Samu Kashyap) came here yesterday,touched Rajmata’s feet to take her blessings. The palace is above the BJP.”

So why is he in politics? Kamal says it is only to carry forward the political legacy of his ancestors and to serve the people. “Development is my only political programme.”

And what about tribal discontent and Naxalism,the most challenging issues facing Bastar today? “I have some views on it,” he says,“but I don’t want to be quoted.”