On 7th November 1966 a procession came towards Kamaraj's
house at Delhi. They are the opposers of Cow slaughting.
Some people in the procession engaged in violence. Kamaraj
was in the house then. This
gang robed the house of Central
minister Raguramaiah. They set fire to the house of Kamaraj.
This had happened within 15 minutes.First the gang damaged
the compound gate and entered. A lone constable who was
there could not stop the gang. They pelted stones on the
windows since the door was locked. They set fire to the
rooms through the windows. Kamaraj was in center of the
hall without any fear. His bed room was damaged due to fire.
By god's grace he escaped. On hearing this
news M.P.s came
running to Kamaraj and took him with them to their place. He
stayed there for few days and then came back to his house.
The incident of Nov. 7th was seriously discussed at the
working committee meeting. They blamed Nanda the Home
Minister. Following this Nanda resigned. P.M. Indira Gandhi
accepted his resignation immediately.Defence minister Chavan
took the portfolio of Nanda. Indira Gandhi gave complete
freedom to Kamaraj to shuffle the ministry.Kamaraj felt that
the number of ministers to be reduced as the general
election was fast approaching.Including the incident of Nov.
7th all the events of 1966 made the future as a question
mark. Kamaraj felt very much for this. He thought that the
Congress should take immediate decisions to some serious
problems. He felt that food condition,internal security and
peace should immediately be taken care.In December he
informed this to his colleagues.During this time Kamaraj
observed the in disciple in the party.The clashes between
the various state Chief Ministers worried him. 12 Ministers
resigned at Orissa having difference of opinions with the C.
M.Kamaraj returned their resignation an saved the discipline
of the party. Kamaraj met the challenge when Rival Congress
started in West Bengal, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh.He thought
that the public would not believe the promise of the
opposite parties though there were shortages in food and
other commodities.He involved himself in election propaganda
and toured the entire nation in 1967 election.A gang of news
reporters
went along with him. He explained the economic
condition of the country in every state.Seeing his common
sense the news papers praised him in their editorials.Ashok
Mehta joined in Congress only when Kamaraj was the AICC
president.Kamaraj was the only reason for his joining in
Congress.He contested at Virudhunagar constituency for
assembly in 1967 general election.He toured the other
constituencies in Tamilnadu without working in his
constituency.He met with an accident when he was going
towards Tirunelveli.News came as he got serious injuries.
Immediately M.S.P.Raja,Iya Sami Nadan and other went in a
car to Tirunelveli. Kamaraj was at the Travelers Bungalow of
Palayamkottai.He had severe injuries on his leg and lips.
His face was swelled.When these people saw him with tears on
their eyes he enquired them about election work.He explained
them the way they have to work. Also he said that he would
come a week before the election and do the
work in person.
But he could not come.From Tirunelveli he went straight away
to Madras.Shortage in Rice in Madras State caused
defeat to
Congress. The elephant slipped.Kamaraj lost by a difference
of 500 votes. This election result shook India.The entire
nation shocked to see his first and last defeat.But Kamaraj
never shattered. Not only in Madras state Congress was
defeated but in many parts of India. Congress could get only
the majority to form the government.Kamaraj who used to say
to worship the work only and not the money,took his defeat
lightly and left to Delhi.He could not walk. He had walking
stick in his hands. He walked slowly with his stick at Delhi
air port. His fae did not indicate the sign of defeat.He
said that he accepts the defeat of Congress and respects the
judgment given by the public and he would work hard to win
the confidence of the public.He made Indira Gandhi as P.M.
for the second time. He seated Morarji Desai as Deputy P.M.
C.N.Annadurai , who formed the D.M.K ministry said that the
leader like Kamaraj should not get defeated. He went with
his colleagues to the residence of Kamaraj for his
blessings. Kamaraj had the capacity to attract even the
opposite party members.He ordered to his party people not to
open their mouth for a period of 6 months about DMK
government as the public gave them a chance to rule.News
papers wrote that his magnanimity was an example to the
affection towards democracy.Papers wrote that he fixed a
golden letter in the history of the world.Independence day
was celebrated in 15th August 1967. I was first independence
day after freedom that Congress celebrated & by sitting in
opposition at the assembly.
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