What is New? Narasimhan Vijayaraghavan

What is New?
Narasimhan Vijayaraghavan

Well, is there anything new in the script. Or the performance. Yes, there is. In Punjab, everyone is happy that the other has lost while AAP has sneaked in with a win. There is a message there. Voters are disgusted with the present log. They want a change. They don’t’ care if it is a Kejriwal who is entrusting the reins to a ‘wobbly’ Mann ( pun intended). Punjab is a huge risk in the hands of such characters and we can only pray to Almighty. I have faith as the shenanigans of Sidhu can now go to where it belongs. His comedy shows. Thank heavens.

Otherwise, the Modi Juggernaut is rolling. It is now led by a Bulldozer. And INC, BSP – read the Gandhis’ and Mayawati have been crushed. The Yadavs may come up with their number crunching to demonstrate how they won and not lost. In the meanwhile, the most unlikely of candidates for Chief Ministership in Yogi Adhituanath is back in the saddle, with a clear and comfortable majority. BJP must be doing something right, surely.

The sore losers are the Lutyens’ and Khan Market Log in Delhi. They are angry, fuming, viscerally hating what is happening since 2014, hustings after hustings. They have tried all their tricks to prop up the forlorn, worn out , tried and rejected Rahul Gandhi again and again. It is like BCCI treating Indian team as its family fiefdom and annoiting a failed local football player as India’s cricket captain. How long?

As long as BJP prays and desires for it. Add kho kho player in Priyanka and carrom board champion Sonia Gandhi, India is bound to be crowned, as they have been decimated in the recent round. Those around INC are in a bind. Actually, it is the ‘liberals’ ‘wokes’‘ constitutionalists’ who are at a loss. They are famished in Delhi. The freebies in Delhi have dried up since 2014. They do not see any pivot in the fortunes of Gandhis’. Equally, they cannot ditch them as no player, even pygmy sized, around to take on the mighty electoral machine of Modi/Shah.

Every time Rahul Bhayya opens his mouth, the BJP’s foot gets firmer. Rahul’s into his mouth. Amarinder was a ‘leader’. They demolished him at the instance of a ‘joker’ in Sidhu. Now both have been shredded. AAP is the winner. INC may have to pat themselves on the back that they made mincemeat of the Captain. Even if they got pounded in the bargain.

It is rumoured for the millionth time that Rahul may resign if he is President or SG will resign or PG will take over or the progeny, one cares and knows not who, is ready take over the mantle. Madhava Rao Scindia is gone. Jatin Prasada is gone. Sachin Pilot may take off. Who would be left? Sashi Tharoor. Forget it. The Gandhis will not like him. And he cannot bring votes beyond Trivandrum. Where is a charismatic soul offering himself or herself?

The Gandhis should be told that it was Amit Shah who dreamed of Congress Mukt Bharat. It was not their slogan – Gandhi’s- to implement it- as Mahatma Gandhi had proposed after India achieved freedom. But surely not this way, being grounded to dust.

So much so their spokespersons were gracious in defeat that if need be, they will comeback in 2050. There so much cynicism in their optimism. INC threw out a street fighter in Didi. Now she may make her moves with Kejriwal to come to centre stage. INC’ Kiev – Janpath- is under siege. They have become refugees in their home.

But look around it is not BJP- Russia- invading- but Gandhis’ own cadre. And the spokespersons are thrilled that there is still a ‘fight’ left in the party and warned BJP that they will not be allowed to taste the victory. Great.

Add the poisonous potion that Yogendra Yadavs & Co are now pouring and pouting “ I concede BJP has won fair and square. ( Who told him that !).And I am not blaming the voters or calling them names for their support . But it is a tragedy. India as a Republic has been dismantled. All our cries, thesis’ and sounding of bugles day in and day out have not aroused the ‘liberals,wokes constitutionalists’.

We need to get back to work. It is Big BJP win. No doubt. But not Congress or SP or BSP loss. It is our loss. So we need to bestir ourselves to get down to work from tomorrow to continue to carry our message against this winning dispensation with doubled and quadrupled vigour”. Since it is Yogendra Yadavs who have accepted and owned the defeat, the Gandhis’ can celebrate!

In the meanwhile, reports suggest that Narendra Modi and Shah are putting up a road show in Gujarat , in a day or two, as it is their next target practice before 2024.

And reports suggest that the Congress Working Committee Committee may be dissolved as the triumvirate at Janpath did not want to hear more and more sob stories when they intended to ‘celebrate’ as they had no role to play in this shellacking. A K Anthony, if he around has been asked lead a committee to investigate how INC won so many seats.

Gandhis’ want a winning feeling. They have decided to take a holiday in Venice.

( Author is practising advocate in the Madras High Court)