Politicians scramble for attention-II

Given the recalcitrance of mates like Mamata Banerjee and her ilk, the opportunism of those like Chandrababu Naidu and their falling TRP ratings back home, they could be expected to do that. After all, warbles our junkie triumphantly, these four states are traditional BJP land. If it cannot do well here, the allies will cut their losses and run. A few mumbles of encore, our junkie’s motley audience is appreciative.
We leave them there for now. There is more entertainment. For those who couldn’t be bothered with details like who won which constituency by what percentage in 1963. Now is the time to get those elected worthies to react to all of us lesser types that have been waiting politely to catch their pet minion’s eye. Only to voice a genuine grievance.
The man who wouldn’t give you the time of day last week shall be standing hands folded outside your door now. He has something to sell and the customer is king. You. Enjoy it, it’s ephemeral.
The myriad contortions, calisthenics and rollbacks that politicians-in-need-of-something go through are actually quite worth the effort of going out and casting a half-hearted vote. Check out Mulayam Singh Yadav, friend of the powerful, who, without missing a beat, extolled the many virtues of Amarmani Tripathi, prime accused in the murder of local poet Madhumita recently.
The same man stood in Parliament a few months before and demanded Tripathi’s head. He got it and how. All the BSP man, with over 20 criminal cases against him, did was amble across to Mulayam with 40 odd MLAs and Mulayam was UP chief minister.
The poll season is all about that. What they said yesterday must not be held against them. And they must not be reminded tomorrow of what they say today. That’s the way it shall be. Take it or leave it.