Congress Leader Rajeev Shukla Recalls Interviewing Modi With Small Computer
Senior Congress leader Rajeev Shukla has shared a fascinating recollection of his early encounter with Narendra Modi, revealing details about what might have been the Prime Minister's first television interview. Shukla described meeting Modi during his initial years with the Bharatiya Janata Party, highlighting an interesting detail about the future leader's preparedness.
The Unforgettable First Meeting
According to Shukla, he first encountered Narendra Modi at the residence of the late Arun Jaitley, who served as a prominent BJP leader and later as Finance Minister. At that time, Modi held the position of the party's general secretary, a role that marked his growing influence within the political organization. Shukla emphasized that even in those early days, Modi projected himself as a "big personality" with noticeable presence and confidence.
The Interview With Technological Preparation
What made the encounter particularly memorable for Shukla was Modi's technological foresight. "He brought a small computer with him," Shukla recalled, noting that this demonstrated Modi's forward-thinking approach even during his formative political years. This interview, conducted by Shukla, is believed to be among Modi's earliest television appearances, capturing a significant moment in the political leader's journey before his rise to national prominence.
Unexpected Political Trajectory
Shukla admitted candidly that during that initial meeting and interview, he did not anticipate the remarkable political trajectory that awaited Modi. "I did not anticipate that Modi would go on to become chief minister and later prime minister," the Congress leader revealed. This reflection underscores how political careers can evolve in unexpected ways, with early interactions sometimes failing to reveal the full potential of emerging leaders.
The Path to National Leadership
The Congress leader further explained how circumstances eventually guided Modi to Gujarat, setting him on the course that would ultimately propel him to national leadership. Shukla's recollection provides valuable insight into:
- The early professional relationship between political figures across party lines
- Modi's technological awareness during his initial political years
- The unpredictable nature of political careers and leadership development
- Historical moments in Indian political journalism
This anecdote from Shukla offers a unique perspective on Narendra Modi's early political career, highlighting both his personal characteristics and the circumstances that shaped his journey from party general secretary to becoming one of India's most significant political figures. The detail about the small computer particularly illustrates Modi's early adoption of technology, a trait that would later become evident in his governance approach as Prime Minister.
