Six Suspects (24 page)

'Why do you think I have spent fifty-five years of my
life in this hell hole? With the money I have I could have
gone to Delhi or Mumbai or even America. I stayed behind
because I have always wanted the ultimate prize – the Chief
Ministership.'

(
Pause
.)

'Then you are playing for very high stakes indeed,
Bhaiyyaji.'

'Yes. I have been thinking, who remembers the bloody
Home Minister of a State? Ten years from now people will
not even know that I was once part of this government. But
even in twenty years people will remember who the Chief
Minister was. It is like becoming a part of history. And
history is never forgotten. Look at Jagdambika Pal. In 1998,
he became Chief Minister only for a day, but his name has
been entered in the history books for all time to come. I too
want that glory. Imagine, a hundred years from now, the
history books of the State will still record my name as Chief
Minister. Isn't that something worth fighting for?'

'Of course, Bhaiyyaji. But how will we do it?'

'We need to split the party. We already have twenty. We
need just five more to make one-third. Then the split
becomes legal. Doesn't attract the provisions of the Anti-
Defection Act.'

'But how will we form the government?'

'I have already spoken to the leaders of all the
opposition parties, especially Tiwariji, who commands the
support of at least fifty legislators. They are willing to lend
me support from outside. And the Independents are solidly
behind me. After all, I helped half of them to win. So what
do you think? Can we do it?'

'It is brilliant, Bhaiyyaji. What a strategy!'

'I am going to call it Operation Checkmate. Now you
need to execute it.'

'Let's get down to brass tacks. First, we have to isolate
our bloc of twenty. Then we have to identify the five that
we need to break the party. And lastly we need to get letters
of support from all the opposition parties, accepting you as
Chief Minister. I will begin work straight away.'

'Good. Do whatever is necessary to achieve success.'

'We will need money as well. Operation Checkmate will
cost us plenty. Do you have that much cash handy,
Bhaiyyaji?'

'Don't worry about cash.'

Operation Checkmate
207

'So should I start buying suitcases? At least twenty will
be required.'

'Yes, do that. And when I become Chief Minister, I will
make you Chairman of the State luggage factory!'

(
Laughter
.)

*

'Hello, can I speak to Alok Agarwal?'

'Who is this?'

'This is Jagannath Rai.'

'
Arrey
, Bhaiyyaji? Sorry, I didn't recognize your
voice.'

'What Alok, the moment I cease to be Home Minister,
you forget my voice? Is this how a big industrialist like you
conducts business?'

'No, it is not that . . . Anyway, tell me, how did you
happen to remember me?'

'You know, Alok, I have always considered you my
younger brother. Now I am in difficulty and I need your
help.'

'What can I do for you?'

'I have decided to stake my claim for Chief Ministership
of Uttar Pradesh.'

'That is a big step, Bhaiyyaji.'

'Yes, I know. I have taken this step after considering all
options. I am confident that I have the numbers. But to firm
up the support of some legislators I need to offer them
some inducements. That is where you come in. You know
very well how these things are done.'

'I understand. How much are we talking here?'

'At least twelve to thirteen crores.'
(
Pause
.)

'That is a very large amount, Bhaiyyaji.'

'It can't be for a well-established businessman like you.
Anyway, consider it just a loan. You will get more than
double the money back as soon as I become Chief Minister.'

'I am not worried about that, Bhaiyyaji. It's just that I
don't have that kind of cash lying around. If I had got the
Dadri project, things might have been different, but—'

'I know you were disappointed by the outcome in
Dadri, but what could I do? Singhania's bid was double
yours, so he got it. How much can you spare straight away?'

'Around a couple of crores, at best three.'

'
Bas?
Now don't behave like a stingy money-lender.'

'I am telling you the honest-to-God truth. Business has
been poor lately.'

'Is that your final offer?'

'Believe me, Bhaiyyaji. I cannot spare—'

'No need to say any more. It was my mistake that I
befriended a third-rater like you. I should have cultivated
someone of Singhania's calibre. Now listen to me,
motherfucker. Uttar Pradesh is out of bounds for you from
today. You can forget about doing any business here. If you
so much as step inside my State I will carve you up like a
chicken. Understood?'

'Bhaiyyaji. Try and un—'

(
Disconnect
.)

*

'Vicky?'

'Dad, can I call you back? I am in the middle of a very
important meeting.'

'Forget your meeting. I need to talk to you right now.'

'Will you guys please excuse me? I'll just step out for a
moment . . . Yes, Dad, what is it?'

'Why are you getting irritated?'

'I am not getting irritated. Tell me, I don't have much
time.'

'I need ten crores.'

'Oooh! Dad, since when did you start needing money
from me?'

'Look, Vicky, I don't have much time either. Can you
send me ten by the end of this week?'

'No way, Dad. I am having a big cash-flow problem. We
have ploughed everything into the Special Economic Zone
project in Jharkhand. But what do you need all this money
for?'

'I'll tell you later.'

'Anyway, I can't help you out, Dad. And please don't
call me for the next two hours.'

'Is this the way a son behaves with his father?'

'Look, Dad, I don't—'

'No. You listen to me, Vicky. Just as there are some sons
who spend their entire life trying to live up to their father's
expectations, there are some fathers who spend their entire
lives making up for their sons' mistakes. After this, forget
that you have a father who will get you out of trouble.'

'You don't need to get emotional, Dad. Believe me, I
would have helped you out if I could. And as for bailing me
out of trouble, you needn't bother. I am not killing any
more bartenders (
Laughs
.) I'm switching off my mobile
now, Dad.'

(
Disconnect
.)

*

'Hello, Seema.'

'Hello.'

'You sound very cold. Have you also forsaken me now
that I am no longer Home Minister?'

'No, it is nothing like that.'

'So,
jaaneman
, when do I see you next?'

'I am going to Delhi for a few days. I need to sort a few
things out.'

'Such as? Tell me, I will sort them out for you. Are there
any other uncles who need liquor contracts?' (
Laughs
.)

'Don't laugh. I need something for myself for a change.'

'What? Name it and it shall be yours.'

'I don't know. It's just that I feel so suffocated at times.
Like I've got into a rut. And life is just passing me by.'

'Everyone feels like that from time to time. As Guruji
says, the important thing is not to lose your focus.'

'I've always had the feeling that I was meant for higher
things. This twopenny TV reporter's job is not what I am
meant for. I am good looking, I am young, I won the award
for best actress in the University drama competition. Don't
you think I can make it in films?'

'
Arrey
, this film line is the worst line possible. Don't
touch it with a barge pole.'

'If only you were to speak to Vicky about me. He
wouldn't refuse you.'

'No, I can't do that, and Vicky won't listen to me. Don't
be difficult now.'

'You are the one being difficult.'

'Look, Seem—'

(
Disconnect
.)

*

'What news, Tripurari?'

'Bhaiyyaji, it was an uphill task. We worked the phones
and held meetings all day and learnt a lot about friends and
enemies. Nothing like adversity to see the true face of men.
Even the twenty that we were banking upon proved tricky.
Only eight were willing to side with us. I had to use every
trick in the book to persuade them. Finally we managed to
get fourteen, leaving a shortfall of six. Add to that the five
we needed anyway to break the party, making a total of
eleven. Then we did a very careful analysis of the MLAs
who could be lured. By working on known weaknesses, we
were able to do a good job. The first chap we got was
Ramakant Sharma, from Chillupur. He was under High
Command's suspicion ever since his wife joined the
Opposition, so it was easy to wean him away. Ashok Jaiswal,
Prabha Devi, Champaklal Gupta, Madan Vaishya and Ras
Bihari were purchased with promises of ministerships in
your Cabinet. Ras Bihari has specifically asked for animalhusbandry
department. Then we targeted Suresh Singh
Baghel. He has not been on speaking terms with the Chief
Minister ever since he was divested of the post of Sugarcane
Cooperative Chairperson, and was more than willing to
come over. It was he who gave us Rakesh Yadav and Pappu
Singh as well. Finally, Iqbal Mian managed to persuade
Saleem Mohammad to switch sides. That gives us ten.'

'Good work, Tripurari. But we are still one short.'

'I know, Bhaiyyaji. I have tried everything and I am
convinced that there isn't a single MLA left in the party
now who can be broken. We are still racking our brains, but
that one MLA is proving as elusive as Osama Bin Laden.
What should we do now, Bhaiyyaji?'

(
Pause
.)

'Do you know, Tripurari, the difference between a leader
and a follower?'

'What is it, Bhaiyyaji?'

'A follower just sticks to the path created by the leader.
But a leader creates a new path. The problem with you is
that you only see straight. You cannot see round a bend. I
see round the next three bends. Tell me, who was the MLA
who invited us to Clarks Awadh Hotel last year for his son's
birthday party – who was turning three, if I remember
correctly.'

'It was a long time ago, Bhaiyyaji. Let me see. It was
January last year . . . Yes, I remember now, it was Gopal
Mani Tripathi, wasn't it?'

'Yes. That's right. Gopal Mani is the legislator from
Bareilly, I think. Did you speak to him?'

'What are you saying, Bhaiyyaji? That fellow is solidly
behind the Chief Minister. There are rumours that he might
become Forest Minister. How can we even think that he
will agree to defect?'

'The love for a son can often be a great motivating
factor. (
Pause
.) Anything entering your obtuse brain,
Tripurari, or do I have to spell it out?'

(
Pause
.)

'Say no more, Bhaiyyaji. I indeed have a lot to learn
from you. Should I ask Mukhtar?'

'Yes, tell him to get cracking. Then you will have your
eleven.'

*

'I am calling from Allahabad. Guruji wants to speak to
Home Minister Jagannath Rai.'

'Oh, Guruji himself ? I will put him through
immediately to Bhaiyyaji.'

Beep. Beep. Beep.

'Is that really you, Guruji?'

'Jagannath, I am in a great deal of trouble. I need your
help.'

'What happened, Guruji? I was really worried for your
safety when I heard about that bomb blast. These terrorists
have not even spared the Magh Mela! But Tripurari
confirmed to me that you were unhurt.'

'Yes, Jagannath, by the grace of God, the bomb blast did
not cause me any harm. But today there has been a raid at
my
ashram
in Mathura. The Health Department is claiming
that the herbal remedies I have been giving my devotees
contain human and animal bones.'

'How is that possible, Guruji? This must be a ploy by
the multinational drug companies to malign you.'

'That is exactly what I think, Jagannath. But my troubles
don't end there. Three women who claim to be my
devotees, whom I have never met in my life, have filed
complaints that I have sexually molested them. You know
that I am an ascetic and have taken the vow of
brahmacharya
. I cannot even think of doing such an
immoral act. Yet your police have issued a warrant and are
going to arrest me. I am still in Allahabad and in hiding at a
disciple's house. What should I do?'

'It looks to me as if there is a very big conspiracy at
work against you, Guruji.'

'I think a rival
akhara
is behind this and my
suspicion lies with that swine Swami Brahmdeo, who,
you know, is close to the Chief Minister. It must be his
doing. Now only you can get me out of this jam.'

'Unfortunately, Guruji, even I no longer have the power
to prevent your arrest, as I am no longer the Home
Minister. But I can facilitate your escape.'

'Escape?'

'Yes. You must run away to America or Europe
immediately, otherwise they will put you in prison for ten
to fifteen months. Sexual-molestation charges are taken very
seriously because of all the NGOs which have sprouted up
in the State.'

'Is that so? Then I must move immediately.'

'I will ask one of my men to contact you within the
hour with a getaway vehicle. It will take you to the Nepal
border. From there you can go to Kathmandu and catch a
flight to wherever you have a visa for.'

'Thank you, Jagannath. I shall remember this favour.
Can I ask for one more?'

'Of course, Guruji.'

'My most sacred possession was an ancient
shivling
gifted
to me by a devotee from Tamil Nadu. Two days ago, taking
advantage of the pandemonium which ensued after the
terrorist attack, a thief stole it from my
akhara
, where it was
on display. That is why all these troubles have descended
upon me. It is imperative that I recover the
shivling
. You told
me that the Director General of Police is your trusted man.
Will you please ask him to do a proper investigation and try
and recover it from the culprit? It might still be in
Allahabad. Once it is recovered, he can leave it with you for
safe-keeping till I return. Will you do this for me?'