The local party bigwigs, the MLA of the constituency and the two State Ministers in charge of the district were proud and elated when their district was selected to hold the next State Conference of the ruling Party.
The local party bigwigs, the MLA of the constituency and the two State Ministers in charge of the district were proud and elated when their district was selected to hold the next State Conference of the ruling Party. It was a fifty crores project, and a good chance for the local chamsas, hangers-on, contractors and goondaas to make money, by fleecing the local merchants, industrialists and business men; it was also an opportunity to settle old scores with some of the local thugs who had received payment from the opposition and disrupted the Party meetings in the past.
It was decided to meet the District Collector the next morning to get formal permission to hold the conference in the big maidan in the center of the city; usually the Party would go well past the city limits to manage the huge crowds ; now they were not sure of massive crowds necessary to make an impressive show in the outskirts. It was better to choose the big maidan near the central bus stand; they could claim later that large crowds had to stand outside as the pandal inside was bursting with people.
The MLA said that he could phone and get the District Collector to come to the party headquarters to receive the application, but the Ministers discounted it; they said it was not proper to summon the Collector to their place ; it was like insulting their own govt. The MLA reluctantly agreed to go in person and to submit the formal application to reserve the maidan for the conference.
“You can issue an order, Thalaiva” one of the vehement party functionary said. "It is our govt, why should we beg him for it?"
“Keep quiet, Karuna. Don’t meddle in these matters.” The Minister said sternly.
The MLA decided that they needed a dozen cars, many vans and jeeps for the party people to go to the Collectorate the next morning. He wanted to make it a big show. “The Ministers are not coming with us” the MLA said.”It is beneath their dignity. Karuna, how many men can you collect to fill the vans, jeeps ; and the dozen cars, - let them all be INNOVAs, grey in colour.”
“As many as you say, Thalaiva” Karuna said. “ I will gather 100 party people. We can ask a good number to gather at the Collectorate.”
“That’s good. We need some strong young fellows to raise slogans and hustle if necessary. Have you briefed them about the slogans?”
“Yes, Thalaiva. LONG LIVE ANNAN VELU. LONG LIVE THE FUTURE CABINET MINISTER.”
“That’s good. Don’t on any account shout LONG LIVE ANNAN VELU THE FUTURE CHIEF MINISTER. It will annoy the CM.”
“Whatever you command, Thalaiva.”
“Issue instructions to the SP to regulate the traffic and keep it free when our procession passes through the State Bank Road. Let him stop the traffic at least for 30 minutes. Will you talk to him or shall I call him?”
“I can manage the SPs. You can talk to the DIGs or IGs, Thalaiva.”
“I will call the new Collector and ask him to be ready by 10.00 AM tomorrow to receive our application. We start the procession from the Party HQ at 8.30 AM. Have you alerted the TV crew and the newspaper reporters? Arrange a car for them and give them a good breakfast. Ask the TASMAC manager to send a carton of brandy tonight for our volunteers.”
“Yes Thalaiva. I will take care.”
Early next morning the Party HQs was overflowing with people; the vehicles were ready and the volunteers were shouting the slogans gustily, practicing enthusiastically. The TV crew and the reporters were checking their equipments and a couple of policemen were on duty.
When the MLA arrived, the cadres shouted vociferously: LONG LIVE ANNAN VELU! LONG LIVE THE FUTURE CABINET MINISTER!” Karuna took charge of the whole affair and got the procession in order, and when the men and the vehicles began to move, the Ministers blessed them, and stood watching.
The roads had been cleared as had been instructed, and the SP himself was issuing directions; he had in mind a transfer request to Salem. When it reached the Collectorate, the cadres, already assembled there, shouted a big welcome.
The MLA alighted from the leading vehicle and accompanied by Karuna and a dozen other cadres, walked towards the big building. He was disappointed that the Collector had not come down to welcome him. “ Next month I will be a Minister myself and you will be at my beck and call” he told himself and walked grimly. The shouts of the party people was receding when he entered the main hall. Still there was no sign of the Collector who, somebody said, was on his way. This was an insult and the MLA swallowed it with a smile on his face.
“Please wait, Sir” the peon said. “The Collector will call you now”
“He is coming late to insult you, Thalaiva” Karuna whispered. "We must teach him a lesson."
Somebody said the Collector had arrived. The peon opened the door and ushered the MLA and the others in. The Collector smiled and asked the MLA to take his seat.
“You are insulting our leader” Karuna shouted at the Collector. "You don’t even stand up to greet him. Dei, enthirida. Nee enna periya pudingiya?"
The Collector, a middle aged officer from the Punjab cadre, was perplexed. “What is he saying?” he asked his PA.
The PA kept his lips tightly closed, while Karuna was abusing and issuing threats. The MLA tried to pacify him, but failed. The Collector asked the MLA why he had brought with him such indecent characters and asked his security to throw him out.
“He is my follower, belongs to our Party. I will silence him.” the MLA said.
When he shouted at Karuna to be silent or get out, Karuna fell silent, satisfied that he had enacted his drama impressively. The TV crew and the newspaper camera men had recorded the whole show in which Karuna was the hero.
With a stern face, the Collector signed the papers and instructed his PA to issue the necessary orders. Then he looked at the MLA hinting that he had other things to do.
Once outside, the MLA was depressed. He would certainly talk to the CM and shunt this Punjabi idiot out to an oblique post without any powers. It would teach him a lesson. To the reporters he said that Collectors should respect the sentiments of the common people. “We have started making the arrangements for the grand State Party Conference.” he declared.
Out on the road Karuna was shouting “LONG LIVE ANNAN VELU, THE FUTURE CHIEF MINISTER!” and the others were taking it up. Every where “LONG LIVE ANNAN VELU, THE FUTURE CHIEF MINISTER!” echoed, and the MLA was now convinced that he would not get the Party ticket in the next general election, leave alone a berth in the Cabinet.