Ashok had just started his election campaign today after visiting his Matha temple in his home town. This is his second campaign. The previous one was won by a handsome margin of 20000 votes. His party leader Shivlal had generously offered him a two acre farm house on the posh outskirts of Delhi, but he courteously rejected it saying he wanted to be closer to his people in the narrow lanes of sylvan colony. Shivlal knew Ashok ji was a match winner, a rare breed, which he could put all his money on.
The real reason, was, no where in the world could he continue to do all his other illegal activities had he moved to the posh farm house. Ashok was born here and liked the smell of hot samosas from Manu Bhai’s shop, and the sweet paan from Calcutta Paan House. Never was he going to leave sylvan colony. Ashok ‘s car took a small turn and slowed down near a small but neat white house . The crowds roared as beautiful young ladies, dressed in blue saris, came out to take the traditional lamp arti, and were eagerly eyeing the plate which had red kumkum water in it. Ashok was a generous tipper and these ladies knew it, waiting to latch on to a few thousand rupee notes when they fall on this exquisitely carved brass plate. An added bonus this year was, they were all dressed in blue saris which was his party flag color, to impress Ashok ji. As the car stopped, Ashok stepped out with his soft yellow sandals. He looked fresh from his last victory and lazily gazed at his onlookers and gently raised his head. His face grew pale and white, as he saw Mushtaq standing near the balcony wall terrace.
Ashok had just typed and sent a personal letter to his party leader Shivlal, two days before starting his visit to his home town. It read ” Dear Shivlal Bhai, not the right time to call you, since I am leaving to my home town before starting the election campaign. So I am handing over this letter personally through my brother Mukesh. You must immediately dismiss Mushtaq from our party. His loyalty is questionable and has had secret talks with our opposition leader. I know you will take my word and do it immediately. I will return fresh to start a great election campaign. Signed … Ashok”
Shivlal ji zindabad…. Shivlal ji zindabad…….. Ashok was shocked on hearing those shouts and seeing his party leader Shivlal emerge out of the white house, to greet him. Namaste Ashok ji. Namaste Ashok ji. Our party had to meet urgently this afternoon and we decided it will be at Mushtaq’s sisters house. Our second line leaders have been arguing with me from yesterday . They have asked me to allocate a seat this year for our Mushtaq. He is a loyal party worker for more than ten years, and stood by us during our worst crisis. But I said, it is already an unwritten word that Ashok will be our choice for this election too and I can’t change that. Ashok has already won us an election and Mushtaq is totally new. I didn’t know how to face you , but I have to concede to my party men as you know, thats how we work. So Ashok, this time let us give Mushtaq a chance.
Ashok ‘s face grew more paler than ever before. He was totally speechless and felt dizzy. He was wondering whether the letter he sent through his brother had reached his party leader. He followed Shivlal ji inside the house and offered to sit down under a fan. He asked for a glass of water, and turned in the direction of the staircase where he heard foot steps.
His brother Mukesh and Mushtaq chatted busily as they came downstairs. They had a smile when they saw Ashok sitting helplessly on the chair. On seeing Mushtaq, Ashok stood up slowly and said ” Salaam ” Mushtaq ji. Mushtaq said ” Namaste” Ashok ji.
This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.
Write Over the Weekend theme for this week
0.000000 0.000000THIS TIME YOU HAVE TO WRITE A POST INCLUDING THE TWO WORDS SALAAM AND NAMASTE.
