The Plan ***

Ramamurthy: Can we ever redeem ourself in the eyes of the people ? They are beginning to accrue doubts about our very integrity.

Senapathy: Well Rama, as a political party we should be representing them, but we have played into the hands of the communist opportunists. We are seen as their lackeys. In the eyes of the people, we are only concerned about our own interests. We are fat cats.

Ramamurthy: But many stayed on course.

Senapathy: In the hope that we might change. Remember, in 1969 they had once abandoned us in a big way. In 2000 the majority decided that enough was enough, and repeated their disdainful disgusted dismissal a la 1969. Yet we never noticed.

Ramamurthy: Are you saying the writing was on the wall, yet we did not notice the winds of change?

Senapathy: What else?

Ramamurthy: But why ? What caused this?

Senapathy: The corruption. It infuriated the community. That to a large extent led to the peoples’ growing disenchantment with the party that had got them their glorious independence. But over and above that, the singular most humiliating factor that convinced them has been our servile silent sycophantic relationship with the communists. I cringe in shame, when I think of it.

Ramamurthy: Sena, we had won the latest by-election?

Senapathy: Yes. We got ourselves overly ecstatic with that fluke victory. And by going in with that arrogance, we shot ourself in the foot.

Ramamurthy: I don’t think it’s that bad, our rivals have been concocting all sorts of imagined threats looming with the communists within reach of power.

Senapathy: I hate to agree with them, but in this case they are right. Their view is fully vindicated. The commies have been confusing the people with their sleight of hand, their exploitative braggadocio and dare. “Resist, hold fast, never give way”, and we have been at the forefront with them, echoing these foolish admonishments. When we knew very well we were pushing ourselves into a corner.

Ramamurthy: The Communists always seem to be championing the downtrodden.

Senapathy sneered: Yeah Yeah. The poor. They shaft the poor at every chance. That’s what they do. And by getting us into their camp, they have finally twisted the knife of insult by one further turn.

Ramamurthy: What you say are not yet facts. We cannot make 180-degree about-turns, that would be suicidal.

Senapathy grudgingly agreed to that possibility.

Ramamurthy: Listen, we are going out there and will stand firmly behind our comrades. Let\s play by ear. We will hive them off at the suitable time. Which I want you guys to start planning for, beginning now. Remember, we have to come out smelling good, and not as if we were taken for a ride all along.

Senapathy: At least you are seeing the light. Don’t worry I will given them the royal shaft. They won’t know what hit them. And don’t feel any pangs. We are putting the people right up there.