Six Suspects by Vikas Swarup Page B

because of Vicky's
involvement in the Ruby Gill murder case. If the verdict
goes against him, our party's image will suffer greatly.'
    'Why? The party's image did not suffer when the High
Command made me Home Minister, despite the fact that I
have thirty-two criminal cases against me. But have I been
sentenced even in one? No, na ? Then why are you making
such a big issue over my son's involvement in just one
murder case, when the judgment has not even been
delivered?'
    'It is no ordinary case, Jagannath. It has become the
most high-profile murder case in the country. All the
channels are only talking about this case.'
    'So will we now be judged by the media? You are a
lawyer yourself, Chief Minister Sahib. And the fundamental
rule of law is that the accused is innocent till proven guilty.
If ministers had to resign simply on the basis of being
charged, two-thirds of your Cabinet would be empty. So I
say let the case be proven against my son, then we shall see.'
    'I have managed to persuade High Command to hold off
any action till the local elections. But that journalist Arun
Advani continues to cause trouble. Did you read his latest
column? He is alleging that you are trying to bribe the
judge. It is giving us very bad publicity.'
    'Let him write what he wants. The good thing is none of
our voters know English. I was telling the Education
Minister that we should ban all English-medium schools in
the State. We should teach children only in Hindi. If we
take away the bamboo, how will the flute play?'
( Laughter .)
    'And also Urdu. Don't forget our Muslim voters.'
    'Yes, of course, Chief Minister Sahib. Urdu is equally
important. In fact, I am brushing up on my Urdu these days.
Iqbal Mian has been teaching me Ghalib's poetry. Would
you like to listen to a few couplets?'
    'No . . . no. I have to go for the inauguration of a
primary school. Just remember, Jagannath, I have managed
to save you for now, but if Vicky is convicted even I won't
be able to do anything for you.'
    'Don't worry. That eventuality will not arise.'
    'See you at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow.'
    'Yes. See you, Chief Minister Sahib. '
    *
    'Hello. Rukhsana?'
    'I am not talking to you, janaab . I sent you five hundred
text messages. You didn't respond to even one. '
    ' Arrey , what can I do? The whole day I was busy in that
wretched State Development Council Meeting which the
Chief Minister is so fond of.'
    'How can a meeting last a whole day?'
    'It can if you have a room full of prize idiot bureaucrats,
each one droning for hours about roads and bridges and
schools and orphanages. Sometimes I feel it was a mistake
to go into politics. When I have to travel hundreds of
kilometres every day through dusty villages, when I have to
listen patiently to ignorant farmers wanting me to ensure
that the monsoon does not fail, when I have to sign endless
files about matters that don't concern me remotely, I realize
the price one has to pay for being in politics.'
    'Then why don't you quit?'
    'Easier said than done. Politics is a bitch, but it is like
government. You crib about it but you can't do without it
either.'
    'And what about me? Can you do without me?'
    ' Arrey , you are my nasha , my addiction. Listen to this
couplet which I composed in your honour:
" Although love's pangs may fatal be, there can be no way out
Without love too this heart would grieve, for want of things
to grieve about."'
    'You have become quite a poet. Looks like my love has
made you a real Majnu.'
    'Indeed . . . " Love has made me good-for-nothing,
Otherwise a useful man I used to be ." '
    'What can I say, janaab , today Urdu poetry is flowing
from your mouth like bullets from a gun.'
    'Don't talk about bullets, darling. This is the story of my
life. The moment I try to become romantic somebody
brings up the subject of guns and spoils the mood.'
    'I am sorry.'
    'Forget it. Tell me, how was your day?'
    'Good. I went to the beauty parlour. Got full waxing
done. Also facial. My body is like silk. You