Things are not so bad in Bombay

If you asked Raosaheb Ramchandra Patil, better known as R.R.Patil - the Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister of Maharashtra. As he pointed out, only a couple of hundreds died when the terrorists had come with a plan to kill 5000 people (though I am very keen to understand who gave him this figure).

As you might have heard, 'Bade Bade Shehro mein aisi Chhoti Chhoti Cheezein to hoti rehti hain, Senorita' (such small incidents happen in large cities). No, that is not Shah Rukh Khan serenading Kajol, that is RR Patil explaining why he does not see any reason to resign.

Vilasrao Deshmukh, our dynamic Chief Minister, on the other hand, is upset that RR Patil took away the lovely movie dialogue, so he takes along his film actor-son Riteish Deshmukh along with film-maker Ram Gopal Varma to the site of the Taj - what was the deal, I give you access for 'inspiration' and you give my son the lead actor role? But Vilasrao has a valid explanation - he keeps attending all the film functions of Bollywood, is he not morally bound to return the invitation once in a while? And, see, since he is so considerate, he did not even throw a full party - just RGV and his Riteish-Baba. What harm can 2 more people going on a terror-tourism jaunt do?

Shivraj Patil calls it a day, it is anyway tough doing this job when a man is not allowed to change his dapper suits even 3 times a day in peace.

Man Mohan Singh also breathes easy, since the media and public have decided the Mouse in the country is Raj Thakre, hiding in Shivaji Park, when the very communities he derided and targetted, liberated Bombay. But Man Mohan need not worry, he does have a 'Man'- in his name atleast - if not in action.

Narendra Modi wonders what he needs to do right - when all the money he is offering is being rejected by the slain ATS Chief's family? And wonders whether it had anything to do with the vitriolic criticism of Karkare when he was pursuing the Malegaon blasts.

Bal & Uddhav-baba Thakre are glad that Raj has been put in his place, and Raj wonders how many Marathis died in the blasts, and could he make an issue out of it? If not now, maybe a little later?

L.K. Advani wonders what new to say - or should I become like Vajpayee and act like I am thinking, with those deep pauses? I anyway have nothing new to say, might as well look like I have (finally) started thinking.

Sonia Gandhi is ofcourse wondering if RR Patil was referring to her when he said 'Senorita' (or didn't he?), and does that imply he might come over to the Congress, so she can teach a lesson to Sharad Pawar? But wait, with elections in Maharashtra next year, does it not make sense to get Raj Thakre revived again - Mama Mia, these blasts did happen at a completely wrong time!

So RR wonders if any more dance bars are open, Raj wonders if there are any more North Indians coming to Bombay, Ramadoss wonders if anyone is smoking in Bombay anymore, Bal & Uddhav-baba wonder if anyone dislikes Wada-pavs in Bombay, Modi-Advani wonder if they can milk the Bombay blasts to capture India, and Vilasrao wonders if Ritesh-baba will ever succeed in Bollywood.

As I said, things are kinda back to what they were before the blasts. In fact, nothing has changed. They have been this way, they will remain this way.

Because, we get the leaders we deserve. Because we do not demand accountability. We do not demand action. We do not deserve governance.

But there is, just that little bit of hope:

- Major Unnikrishnan's father refusing to meet any 'mad dog' politicians
- ATS Chief's family refusing compensation from Modi
- The public outcry against the corrupt and inefficient politicians

And maybe, just maybe, there is a glimmer of hope still?


*Note: The thoughts of politicians described in the passage above are sheer imagination (or are they?)

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EDITED TO ADD THIS SHOCKING PIECE OF INFORMATION I READ

Rahul in party mood soon after Mumbai crisis

'The Prince partied hard, till 5 in the morning, on Sunday at the ‘sangeet’ for the forthcoming wedding of Samir Sharma, his childhood friend. They were at a sprawling farmhouse at Radhey Mohan Chowk, the haven of people who lead charmed lives beyond Chhatarpur.'

IS THIS OUR OBAMA ??