Old ties may bring Rahul to Teji funeral

NEW DELHI: The Bachchans and the Gandhis may have parted ways, but the buzz among Congress circles in Delhi is that Rahul Gandhi, AICC general secretary, will in all probability represent the family at the funeral of Amitabh Bachchan’s mother Teji in Mumbai on Saturday. Teji passed away in Lilavati Hospital on Friday after a prolonged illness.

Rahul had represented the family at the funeral of Amitabh’s father Harivanshrai, too, a few years ago.

But the gesture had less to do with current affinities than family ties that go back three generations. The relationship dates back to their time in Allahabad, and continued to remain solid even after the Gandhis moved to Delhi.

This closeness was most evident when Indira Gandhi flew down to Mumbai to visit Amitabh when he was hospitalised after an accident on the sets of Coolie.

Teji Bachchan was particularly close to Indira Gandhi. She also had a special place in Sonia Gandhi’s heart. Sonia stayed with Teji in the capital’s #Gulmohar Park on her first visit to India just before her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi.

It was Teji Bachchan who took Sonia under her wing and put her through her paces. If a family insider is to be believed, Teji helped Sonia get acquainted with the Indian sari.

Not surprisingly, it’s a relationship Sonia Gandhi has kept up despite the falling out with Amitabh Bachchan. She made it a point to ensure that the family was represented at Dr Harivanshrai Bachchan’s funeral by sending her son Rahul.

Despite the chill in relations, Sonia never forgot to call Teji Bachchan on her birthdays as long as she was still able to take her calls. Later, as Teji’s condition worsened, Sonia made it a point to send her birthday and New Year cards.