I used to work on all days no matter if it was Diwali, Independence Day or any other festival. Biscuit was my food on most days when I was touring the country conducting Loan Melas. I used to offer biscuits and water to those travelling in my car. I used to ensure MPs and MLAs also survive on biscuits and water. Some people complained to Indira Gandhi about it. "Poojary is not even allowing us to have lunch. He doesn't take even water from us. How can we go with him? Please remove him from Finance Ministry," they demanded.

Indira Gandhi telephoned me. That was a holiday. I went to her residence within five minutes as my house was just two compounds away from her residence. She patted me on my back. "What has happened to you? I am told you don't even take water from others. Why are you eating only biscuits. Do you know, if you fast for long hours, you may get ulcer which might turn into cancer? Don't you want to live long? I am told you don't even allow other MPs to have food. Are you the only honest man in this country? I will dismiss you, get out" she said.

I came to my office. "Pack all my belongings. Madam has dismissed me," I told my staff. They were shocked. I insisted, "Go and pack my luggage". After some time, a few MPs came to my residence. 'What happened?," they asked. I explained what transpired at Indira Gandhi's residence. They told me that Indira had become emotional after I came back. "See how hard working Poojary is. He is not even taking care of his health. If there are five people like Poojary, nobody can defeat Congress. This is what Indira Gandhi said about you," the MPs said. I was very happy.

Politicians should always look at themselves from the eyes of the people. We cannot get rid of corruption if we only talk about it. We should fight against it and make a sincere effort to root out this menace. On a personal level too, politicians need to be very clean. I have followed this principle all through my life till date.

Bank staff were also shocked to see the kind of effort I was putting to make Loan Mela programme successful. They also joined hands later and started working extra hours. This is how politicians should function. We should not indulge in corrupt and illegal practices. Only then, will people respect us. We should practice what we preach. This is the ''Raja Dharma'' of a politician.

It is like teachers advising students on how injurious cigarette is for health and how it will cause tuberculosis, cancer, but smoke in the staff room. Such teachers will have no moral right and students will not pay heed to their words. Teachers should be role model to others and this applies to politicians too. We should lead a life that is worth emulation by others. Having humanitarian concerns is very important. People in power should understand this. There used to be saying that King can do no wrong, but that is not happening now.