Namaste!
A promise is a promise, don’t you think?
Not when it comes to politics?
”I made a promise in 2006", said the son of The Son Of The Soil, "But for the sake of peace in Karnataka and its people, I am willing to break that promise!”
And broke it he did to become the extinguished er… sorry, distinguished ex-Chief Minister. But not before trying every permutation and combination so he could break his promise yet retain his power seat.
For the sake of those dear readers who are not familiar with the story – it began when the last assembly election in Karnataka had a 50-50 divided result. The unscrupulous politicians of both opposing parties decided to share power in spite of being radically against each other!
The deal was struck – one party would form the government for 20 months and then would hand over the reins to the opposite party. A solemn promise was given by the self proclaimed ‘Son of the Soil’, who said those famous words to the gullible opposition leader, "I wouldn’t lie to you, would I?".
What happened 20 months later was that the party in power refused to hand over power, forcing the opposite party to withdraw support and enforce Presidents rule in Karnataka.
Son of the Soil had lied.
That, my friend, is the sad, sad tale of politics in India – one of promises and lies. No wonder people find politics disgusting but at the same time interesting and compelling enough to discuss in social gatherings and in barber shops.
I must confess that I don’t visit my old barber much these days, even with the incentive of a discount that he offers me. The last time I did, my friend enlightened me about the promise that our Hon ‘able CM had made in 2006. "He lied, that lying son of a @!%^", mouthed my animated friend in Kannada, as he scouted my head for hair to cut.
"You must eat more cabbage", advised my friend as he gave the last imaginary snip and dusted me clean, "Your hair will grow back to its former glory".
"Hey, I wouldn’t lie to you, would I?", he added, when I smiled my disbelief.