INTO THE PAST WITH PAIN...184

INTO THE PAST WITH PAIN…184

Dr K Prabhakar Rao

(It is Delhi and life is as usual. Cars are seen speeding up on roads and Police appear to be more in numbers than people. Every one is seen as suspect and Gandhi, Nehru and patel are seen walking on a city street. They are as usual in their dress and composition. They come to a roadside gathering and halt there. They are inquisitive.)

Gandhi. Patel. Look ,what is happening?

Patel. Sure Bapu

( Patel gets past the crowd and sees some people sitting under a tent and a banner is displayed. Patel looks at it and nods his head. He returns after discussing with some guys)

Gandhi. What is happening there?

Patel. Some guys are doing dharna.

Gandhi. What for?

Patel. It is called jala yagna. Former MP from Kadapa Jagan Mohan Reddy the son of Late YSR and former CM of AP is leading the Dharna.

Gandhi. Why they came all the way from Hyderabad to do Dharna.

Patel. Recently the dispute between Karnataka, Maharashtra and AP state over river water sharing was decided. Poor AP guys lost their battle against Maharashtra’s Alamatti dam and case has gone in favor of Maharashtra state. Some eye wash has been given to AP being a cry child.

Gandhi. Then what happened?

Patel. It is alleged that AP govt did not argue well at the tribunal and was casual in approach. They were clueless and lacked depth in arguments. The advocates were incapable as per the claims made by the agitators.

Gandhi. Now what Jagan wants to achieve?

Patel. He only knows it. He is desperate as he did not become CM after his dad’s death.

Gandhi. I like to talk to the guys.

Patel. I do not think any thing will be achieved by that

Gandhi. What is wrong in trying?

Nehru. There is nothing wrong in it. Let us go there. If required we can also join them in Dharna.

( The trio gets past the crowd and reaches tent where Jagan is seen sitting. Some MsLA who are sitting along with him see Patel, Gandhi and Nehru. They are perplexed. The trio approaches them )

Gandhi. Hello guys. Good morning to all of you. I am MK Gandhi, the Bapu, Your father of nation

Patel. Hello guys. Have you not recognized me. Iam Sardar Patel. The Iron man of India.

Nehru. Hello friends. I am Chacha Nehru the first PM of India

Jagan. Hello guys. It is good that you have come here. It adds to our show. You are well dressed exactly like Gandhi, Nehru and patel.

Patel. Plesae do not be under any illusion. We are real Gandhi, Nehru and Patel

Jagan. We are not impressed by the talk. You can not fool us. Even a new born child knows that you were dead long ago. How can you be real guys now?

Gandhi. You are on peaceful Gandhian Dharna. Iam happy about it.

Jagan. We were always peaceful.

Gandhi. That is really good. But who will bother for your show? How does this make any impact ?

Jagan. Time only will tell. Have you seen all these guys around me.

Patel. Yes. We are seeing them. They are normal guys and there is nothing special about them.

Jagan. These guys are Congress MsLA from AP. Now they are with me. They are supporting me.

Patel. What are you trying to do?

Jagan. The message has gone clear now to high command. They are unable to swallow realities after seeing these MsLA with me. If the high command removes them from party, their support becomes fully open. The state government becomes minority government. It will loose no confidence motion when moved by Chandra Babu Naidu the leader of opposition in the state legislature.

Gandhi. Then why don’t you give open challenge. Why do you want high command to dismiss them from Congress?

Jagan. That is the trick

Patel. If all these MsLA are with you let them form a separate group under different name and if the strength is sufficient they are safe. Govt will surely fall

Gandhi. Haa..haa. Be pen and bold. If you are sure of their support there is no reason why are delaying things. Look Jagan. In war and love there should not be delay. Decisions should be very quick and success will be yours.

Jagan. I am only hesitating that the govt formed by my late father will be dismissed when they loose majority.

Gandhi. Look son. There are no sentiments in politics and war. Prithviraj Chauhan was taken over by sentiments after defeating Ghori and capturing him . Ghori was let off and that rascal killed Chauhan at the earliest opportunity when he defeated Chauhan in the next battle at Tarain.. If Chauhan had killed the cheat and rascal Ghori, India would not have fallen to Islamic rule. Even Chanakya in his political treatise suggests that Enemy should not be spared and must be hammered with all power when he is weak. Success will not come to the guys who are wavering and indecisive. As days pass by your opposition will get time to plan and take measures against your plans. They are in power and have everything at their disposal.

Jagan. There appears to be some truth in your arguments.

Patel. Bapu speaks truth always.

Jagan. If the govt falls after these Ms LA with draw support, still I may not become CM immediately.

Gandhi. Even now you are not the CM and you are measuring roads.

Jagan. If the center finds that no party is able to form government , they may resort to Presidents rule.

Gandhi. It can happen. Why should you bother? Like every one you also will be there making your plans.

Jagan. You guys appear to be very cleaver. Are you really Gandhi, Nehru and patel.

Patel Very correct ( sings)

In fact know guys we are they
And also know they are surely we
I am Patel , the iron man of India
Act now whatever the result is going to be

Jagan. Very confusing poem. ( Scratches his head)

Gandhi. What are you thinking? I am sure you are clear on your action plan

Patel. Never give your enemy a chance to be one up above you. Power comes to those who are bold and take risks. Think of Alexander the great who vanquished Porus by crossing the river Jheelum at an odd place, at odd time in a most unexpected way.

Jagan. I agree with you. I must act very quickly. I should not give my opposition any thinking time. I must act.. I must act. I should act.. act…act…act

Gandhi. That is the spirit. Go ahead

Jagan. Thanks for all the motivation you gave

Gandhi. That is my duty. In democracy these things are very common. Just remember how Chaudhry Charan singh lost his majority in parliament. You are doing nothing wrong. These are political games. There is no place for sentiments. Best of luck. Go ahead

Jagan. Surely.

Patel. Bapu, Shall we go now.

Nehru. I think we should go before police lands up here. Jagan in fact is in enemy camp

Gandhi. Let us go.. Bye every one.

( The trio walks away singing Ramdhun)


CURTAIN FALLS




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