Within a few hours of the notification of the election, an announcement was received from the Maoists that they won't allow holding an election to the constituency.
The next day after the election notification was issued, the ruling party announced its candidate for the election.
With the Maoists having issued a threat, all other political parties, except the principal opposition party, announced that they won't contest the election.
Shanmugam, the leader of the principal opposition party, was known for taking bold decisions, even under adverse circumstances. He had an illustrious history of facing many challenges in his political career. People were awaiting his decision about contesting the bye-election.
Chief Minister Bharanikumar, who was also the leader of the ruling party issued a press release, which said.
"In view of the threat issued by the Maoists, a tense situation prevails in in the constituency where the bye-election is to be held. This constituency was held by our party. We have lost our member to the violence of the Maoists. If the opposition leader decides not to field a candidate for the constituency, our party candidate would be elected unopposed, without the need for an election. The violence from the Maoists will be averted. I hope that the opposition leader will take a good decision in the interest of people's welfare and the need to maintain peace."
Though in the past, Shanmugam had responded to such statements from the ruling party with strongly-worded rejoinders, this time, for two days, there was no response from him to this press release
After two days, Shanmugam met Chief Minister Bharanikumar at his office.
"What have you decided on my request?" asked Bharanikumar.
"I accept your appeal. We will not put up a candidate from our party" said Shanmugam.
"Thank you. It was graceful of you to have come in person to convey your acceptance!" said Bharanikumar, pleasantly surprised.
"I could have conveyed my acceptance through a statement. I came in person to make an appeal to you."
"Please tell me" said Bharanikumar, becoming wary of what his appeal could be.
"You should withdraw your party's candidate also!"
"What for? If we do so, the election will be cancelled. The Maoists would get what they wanted. Is this our objective?"
"Ok. Your party candidate is declared elected unopposed. Will the Maoists allow him to function as a member of his constituency? Will they not make an attempt on his life, when he visits his constituency?"
"Of course, they will. But the government will give protection to the legislator."
"Can you say with certainty that he won't be killed in spite of your giving him high security. What is your level of confidence?"
"We can't avoid doing something for the fear of the Maoists" said Bharanikumar.
"We need to fear certain things. If you receive an anonymous telephone call that a bomb has been planted in your office, will you not run out of the building? We have to fear what is to be feared. In the present state of things, we cannot ignore the threat of the Maoists. If there is an attack on a legislator belonging to your party, common people on the spot will also be affected. You should bear that in mind. It is in the best interest of every one that for some time to come, that constituency remains without a member to represent it. The only practical approach is to do things by taking into consideration the threats issued by Maoists, till the time we win over them, either through confrontation, or through dialogue" said Shanmugam.
*Maoists are armed insurgents, who have no faith in elections.
Section 2
Wisdom
anjal aRivAr thozhil.
It is foolish to not fear what is to be feared. Fearing what is to be feared is what the wise men do.
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