Rajkumari Kaul, Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s regular companion for many years and the mother of his adopted daughter Namita Bhattacharya was the only lady who touched the heart of former prime minister of India.
She died after a cardiac arrest at AIIMS. She had been admitted to the hospital where A press release described the 86-year-old as Vajpayee’s “household member”. Mrs Kaul’s another daughter, Nani, and granddaughter is Neharika.
Most of the BJP leaders often spoke of Mrs Kaul’s loving nature. “Bahut mamata se bhari huin thi,” EAM Sushma Swaraj said once .
However, very few outside Atal ji’s close circle had actually interacted with the woman who, was apted their unique story, was recognized just by her husband’s last name. She was the daughter of the widow of a Delhi University teacher. She used to be a college friend of Vajpayee ji. Mrs Kaul frequently fielded calls made to the BJP leader’s residence simply saying “Mrs Kaul bol rahi hoon”.
Worth mention here Mrs Kaul’s daughter Namita and her family lived with Vajpayee ji at 7, Race Course Road, while he was PM of India. Interestingly Vajpayee ji called Namita his daughter. But Atal ji and Mrs Kaul never gave their relationship an official name .
Mrs Kaul’s amity with Atal ji began when they were fellow students at the prominent Victoria College in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. This college now has re-named Laxmibai College. A relative of Vajpayee told both were classmates. Mrs Kaul’s family lived in the town’s Morar locality, before all have left Gwalior.
Atal ji and Mrs Kaul came into touch again when she settled in Delhi after married off to Professor B N Kaul. who later become head of Ramjas College’s philosophy department and warden of the college hostel. Vajpayee had earlier met B N Kaul when he contested from Balrampur.
Mrs Kaul was also known to arrange free medical treatment for those in distress through her contacts in government hospitals, particularly AIIMS. When her husband passed away, Vajpayee’s adopted her family as his own. Vajpayee never felt any need to explain the arrangement even when Namita’s husband Ranjan Bhattacharya got into controversy during his prime ministership.