For entry into politics, Bidhuri has telephone line to thank

It was in 1991, when Bidhuri, who had a transport business then, went around telling people that he was close to politicians. His cousin Vinod Bidhuri’s connection with Congress leader Rajesh Pilot, (original name was Rajesh Vidhuri), helped.

Bidhuri’s found himself in a fix when one of his friends sought help from him to get a telephone connection.

“My cousin Vinod had told me that he was close to Rajesh Pilot. When my friend sought my help, I approached my cousin and asked him to help me,” Bidhuri said.

“Vinod tried his best but could not get me the connection. In any case, I did not agree with the Congress ideology, so I gave a mouthful to my cousin. I rebuked him saying he should not call himself a politician when he cannot even get a telephone connection sanctioned,” he said.

To save face, Bidhuri tried contacting many officials for the connection, but to no avail. “I felt so useless at that point. Then, I decided to go to the telephone exchange and secure a connection after paying for it myself — just to save myself from the humiliation,” he recalled.

Bidhuri said he got the connection for Rs 12,000 and gave it to his friend. “I did not tell him that I had paid the money. I just told the officials at the telephone exchange to install the connection at my friend’s house. My friend was happy and impressed,” Bidhuri said.

The truth came to light when the first telephone bill was generated. “I was unable to transfer it to my friend’s name. When the bill came, it was in the name of one Uma. Then my friend understood what must have transpired and called me. He said I should have told him the truth and he could have arranged it through someone else,” Bidhuri said.

“That evening, I got an envelope at my residence with Rs 12,000 in it. I felt insulted,” he said.

That very night, Bidhuri decided to enter politics. “I realised the power of politics. Had I been a politician, I would have easily got that connection sanctioned. I realised I could help so many people if I enter politics. It is not just the power, but the way one utilises it that makes the difference,” he said.