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FLIPSIDE
Coming
To Terms
By
Dilip Bobb
Those
who do not learn from the past are condemned to spend a year or three
regretting their lapse. And make dubious history in the process. It can
be a trying process, as some prominent and powerful individuals discovered
recently. Tied together by a common rope, they discuss their trials and
tribulations. Here's how their conversation went.
 Narasimha
Rao: This is most unfair. I am the one who should be sitting in Breach
Candy being treated for my ailments,not facing a jail sentence. After
all that I have done for the country, this is nothing but a blot on my
fair reputation.
Jayalalitha:
As a convent-educated girl, I would say "Out damn blot", but
what about me? I served the people well, gave them prosperity, at least
some of them, and look what I get in return? It really doesn't pay to
be in politics. At least, not all of the time. Incidentally, what ailment
are you talking about? I thought you were hale and hearty under that pout?
Rao:
I'm talking about amnesia. I suffer from sudden losses of memory. It's
all this slush we have to wade through in our political life term. I don't
remember handing out bundles of notes to those jmm chaps. The real culprits
have gone scot-free. I should be judged by a panel of doctors, not a bench
of the court. It's a medical problem.
Jayalalitha:
I know the feeling. My doctors disagree, but my political rivals have
been saying for years that I suffer from acute kleptomania and sticky
fingers and this is what lands me in trouble. It's very difficult being
a chief minister and also trying to keep the wolves from the door. I also
have to look after my friends who have stood by me through thick and thin.
Gopichand
Hinduja: I know the feeling. We also have kith and kin who are unjustly
accused. We are businessmen trying to make an honest living. We have no
outside interests, apart from tending to our tulips and lotuses and making
our garden grow. We are brothers in arms and our hands are clean. This
is all a conspiracy to defame us. The cbi will soon be singing a different
tune.
Jayalalitha:
Yes, de fame and fortune can make you sing sing. Did you watch me singing
on Simi Grewal's television programme? Of course, nowadays I only watch
Kaun Banega Crorepati. Do they have television in Tihar? And large wardrobes?
My doctors say ...
Rao:
Let's not get carried away. We have a great deal of contributions left
to make to the country and to the party, which is what Soniaji said when
she paid me a visit after the verdict. My contributions are what helped
the Congress complete its five-year term and I still have a larger role
to play and much to look forward to.
Jayalalitha:
I also have a larger role to play. We both have much to look forward to.
Gopichand
Hinduja: After the judgement of the courts, what can you two look
forward to?
Rao/Jayalalitha:
Another five-year term.
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CII’s
conference on Friday on corporate governance is called Independent Directors:
Why, How and Who. Why Not, How Not and Who Not, would have been better,
says INDIA TODAY Associate Editor, V Shankar Aiyar