August 31, 1998

Dilip Bobb

Like Bill Clinton, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has to face some unpleasant truths. His leadership now hangs by a threat and the only question is whether he can equal the national records set by his predecessors. However, there are signs that a new assertiveness and a major change in policy decisions -- namely to take policy decisions -- may avert Armageddon. There were signs of this in the latest cabinet meeting.

PM (Starts by reciting an Urdu couplet): "This crown with which my head is adorned, is made in equal parts of gold and thorns, what matters is the lessons I have learned, that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."

All: Wah! Wah!

PM: This may be our last hurrah if we don't pull up our socks. It is like waiting for the other shoe to drop.

L.K. Advani: Yes, that picture in the papers was embarrassing, walking to Red Fort with only one shoe...

PM: Not as embarrassing as the situation in Himachal and Kashmir, not to mention the capital. The Government looks like it has no backbone.

Advani: Yes, those pictures showing the security people supporting you were...

George Fernandes: This is like Chinese torture. We have to do some tough talking.

PM: I agree. I will announce a cabinet reshuffle. We can do a reshuffle of the bureaucrat reshuffle. We will clear all projects that have been pending for more than 10 years...

Yashwant Sinha: That means all of them. My bureaucrats will be left with no work.

PM: Either that or we will be left with no jobs, no bungalows, no foreign trips...

Sinha: I agree. We must put our foot down, shoes or no shoes.

PM: Talking about no shoes, the economy is in tatters. The public is in tears over the price of onions. What are you going to do?

Sinha: Rest assured, by the turn of the century ... I mean come September, we will see a turnaround. All the figures point to that.

PM: What figures are those?

Sinha: The ones supplied by the ex-revenue secretary, the ex-finance adviser, the ex-enforcement director.

PM: We will announce major policy changes. Make out a list and have it ready for signing.

George: But your schedule released in the press says you will have no time.

PM: I didn't say I was going to sign. You will have to take it to Chennai on your next airdash.

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