Pic courtesy www.nation.lk |
If it is rumored that former president Chandrika Kumaratunga
was instrumental in getting Maithripal Sirisena to take on Mahinda Rajapaksa,
the lady’s thinly disguised treatment of the candidate as though he was a serf
in her ancestral estate almost turns it into fact. If that were the case then Maithripala should
be grateful. For now. After all, he’s earned more brand-points over
the last few weeks than he has accumulated over the last 40 plus years in
active politics in the SLFP. If he
loses, then he can’t exactly say ‘thank you, madam.’ He might think to himself, ‘I should have
said, “thank you madam, but no”.’ But
that’s all conjecture. For now.
Right now, in a parallel universe, Maithripala goes to see
Chandrika (yes, not the other way about) to discuss the status of the
campaign. Here’s the transcript of the
animated discussion.
‘Good morning Madam,’ Maithripala was habitually
respectful. He didn’t sit down until
Chandrika said ‘Sit, sit…let’s talk.’
He sat. Waited. Respectfully. Chandrika was bubbling with enthusiasm.
‘Mahinda is finished!’
‘There’s still a long way to go Madam,’ Maithripala was seasoned enough to know that
it’s not over until it is over and wondered why his former boss was acting like
a first time candidate for a Pradeshiya
Sabha.
‘Oh! I know, I know.
But the other day I finished him off.
I took away his brag about winning the war!’
Maithripala remembering that in the press conference held to
announce his presidential bid he had paid a glowing tribute to Mahinda
Rajapaksa for his leadership in ridding the country of terrorism, looked at
Chandrika without betraying incredulity but still showing a bit of skepticism. It took a fraction of a moment, too quick for
Chandrika to notice. She went on. And
on. And on.
‘I said what everyone knows.
I said that I reclaimed 75% of LTTE-held areas while I was
President. I said that I never bragged
about it. I said I never put up huge cut-outs
of myself or took credit for this victory.
You see Maithree, when I say I reclaimed 75% territory it sounds like I
did 75% of the work and people will think Mahindaya had to do only 25%. So he can’t make any claims about winning the
war. This is how you must to politics. You must tell the truth but perhaps not the
whole truth. The balance will be added
by others!’
‘But Madam, how about Alimankada?’
‘Tosh. What’s the
difference between Alimankada and Pamankada?’
‘Pooneryn, Mullaitivu?’
Maithripala couldn’t hide the incredulity now.
‘Just names.
Details.’
‘How about demoralizing the troops with your various peace
carnivals, caravans etc?’
‘You see Maithree, you are new to this game. In politics you never know how things could
end. It is good to keep options
open. So I did both. I asked the generals to fight even as I asked
Mangala and my NGO friends like Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu and Jehan Perera to
make a big song and dance about how the war couldn’t be won. If we won, I would get the credit. If we
didn’t then I can say “I listened to the voice of reason!” Easy!’
‘You didn’t win. And
you didn’t get any peace either, Madam.’
‘I did my best,’ Chandrika snapped, a tad annoyed. ‘I tried to appease. Remember PTOMs? Remember promising to lease out the North and
East to Prabhakaran for 10 years?’
‘In other words conceding the 75% and offering three times
as much?’ Maithripala was sounding a bit Presidential all of a sudden.
‘My! My! My! ගෙම්බෙක්
උඩ ගිය à¶à¶»à¶¸à¶š් (Look how high a
frog has jumped)!’ Chandrika said testily, but recovered enough composure to
change the subject. ‘Anyway, you must
admit that I was spot on about election malpractices, huh?’
Maithripala didn’t reply.
He thought to himself.
‘She’s obviously forgetting the Wayamba Provincial
Council. She’s forgetting a lot of
things. She’s also forgotten that I said
categorically that “computer jilmart”
is not possible. There’s obvious abuse
of state resources during a campaign and that given ruling party candidates a
big advantage. There’s also intimidation of people who are believed to be loyal
to the opponent, but nothing serious happens to the votes, ballot boxes etc.’
Aloud, he said, ‘Madam, I think you have made your point. You said it loud and clear. About the war, about election malpractices,
fraud and nepotism. Madam, I think
you’ve done more than we expected. I
came here to thank you from the bottom of the heart. Madam, I think you should rest now. Leave it to us, we can manage it from here
onwards.’
‘Thanks so much Maithree,’ Chandrika beamed and added, ‘Yes,
I’m exhausted. I think I’ve done my part
and now it’s all up to you. I will rest
a bit. I want to be fully rested and
ready to roll when you win. I can’t wait
to become leader of the SLFP again.
People wrote me off, but they are wrong.
Ruling this country is my birthright.
Thanks to you, I will return to power.
Then we’ll see!’
‘Of course Madam. You
will get your නිà·ƒි
à¶ැන (suitable position).’
Maithripala said. Straight face.
Chandrika
swallowed it. Maithripala bowed with
perfect deference. Left.
1 comments:
"‘There’s still a long way to go Madam,’ Maithripala was seasoned enough to know that it’s not over until it is over and wondered why his former boss was acting like a first time candidate for a Pradeshiya Sabha."
Too funny. Because that's exactly how she's acting :D
But if only Maithripala has the presence of mind to think any of these thoughts.... tsk. tsk. Too bad that he doesn't seem to.
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