Ecstasy and Agony: CM sees it all in a day

Relaxed, Joshi laughed away queries from inquisitive media persons about meet president-elect Vasant Bapat’s reservations about “tyrants throttling the freedom of expression”.

“There is absolutely nothing to fear about. I’m sure it (the literary meet) is going to be a grand show, fit enough for a capital of the State,” Joshi said, grinning from ear to ear.

“He was himself. Just as he is,” remarked a seniorShiv Sena leader (who had spent some three hours during the day with Joshi) when his comments were sought Joshi’s resignation later in the evening. “He spoke about literature all the time. He seemed totally absorbed in the sahitya sammelan,” said the surprised Senaman.

While meeting towering personalities of Marathi literature, Joshi touched the feet of Pu La Deshpande, discussed the “parallel” literary meets with Bapat, exchanged pleasantries with Vyankatesh Madgulkar and D M Mirasdar, scanned through recent research manuscripts of Shankarrao Kharat, received a compilation of poetry by Shanta Shelke and listened to a Marathi translation of Rabindranath Tagore’s Bengali poem on Chhatrapati Shivaji recited by N S Inamdar. “I have to invite you. Without you, the sammelan cannot commence,” he told scientist Vasant Gowariker, who is the chief guest for the inaugural session of the sahitya sammelan. Joshi even took time out to mingle with children outside Bapat’s residence. “Does anybody say no to amukhyamantri?” he questioned one from a bunch of autograph-hunters who pounced on him as soon as he stepped out. One smart youngster had apparently refused to let the CM use his ball-point pen to sign for others in the group.

Joshi signed all the books and even scraps of paper brought by children. He also shared a word or two with each of them. He promised one young girl a good husband in Mumbai, since she was bold enough to tell him to use the rear gate of the building.