BY DILIP BOBB

Poll Toll

There may be nothing official about it yet, but it is not difficult to read between the lines of politicians forming before the headquarters of major political parties. The party which will set the catalyst among the pigeons is clearly the Congress. They have had a series of crucial meetings where the decision to take a decision will be decided. Here's how they went.

Sitaram Kesri: Friends, Remains and Congressmen ...

V.N. Gadgil: Sir, I have to brief the media, they will say that you don't know your Shakespeare.

Kesri: That was before all those Congressmen deserted us in Uttar Pradesh. As I was saying, the evil that men do lives after them. We must take a tough stand on this issue.

Mamata Banerjee: But the last three meetings you have been against making any hasty moves till the Action Taken Report is ...

Kesri: That was before Sonia Gandhi returned from London and asked me what action had been taken.

Ghulam Nabi Azad: It's very simple. We were going to demand that the Government dump Karunanidhi. Why hasn't this been done?

Kesri: That was before I met Gujral over breakfast and lunch. He filled me in.

Rajesh Pilot: With what?

Kesri: Aloo gobhi and paranthas.

Pilot: That's not what I meant. We are starting to look foolish. This leadership must go.

Kesri: (hastily) But I have only been in office for a year...

Pilot: I meant the United Front leadership.

Kesri: We should examine the possible fallout.

Azad: A mid-term election. Everybody knows that.

Kesri: That was before I met L.K. Advani and he told me that plenty of Congressmen were ready to fall out of the Congress.

Mamata Banerjee: You clearly said that the Jain Commission left you with no choice ...

Kesri: That was before I met Sharad Pawar and he told me the possible choices being mentioned in case of an election.

Pilot: We all demand an immediate decision.

All: The leader of the party must take a decision.

Kesri: Very well. (Gets up to leave)

All: Where are you going?

Kesri: To ask for an appointment.

All: With the President?

Kesri: No, Sonia Gandhi.

Write to us | Subscriptions

© Living Media India Ltd